In this episode of The Good Builder Podcast, Az sits down with Sarah, Franchise Operations Manager at Goop Guys, to unpack one of the smartest...and most sustainable....business models in the construction game.

We dig into Sarah’s own journey from running a painting company to leading a fast-growing national franchise. You’ll hear how Goop Guys is helping builders across Australia protect surfaces during construction, reduce site damage costs, and tap into real sustainability.

We also talk franchising: how builders and tradies are launching profitable side businesses, the kind of support Goop Guys provides, and why now’s the time to expand into high-demand areas like WA and Tasmania.

Plus, hear about their upcoming 25-year celebration, the Dunga Rally fundraiser, and why Goop Guys might just be the smartest move for a builder looking to diversify.

🎧 Listen and Watch:

Spotify: The Good Builder Podcast

YouTube: Good Builder AU

Website: thegoodbuilder.com.au

In today’s episode of The Good Builder Podcast, we’re diving into what’s actually moving the needle for Aussie builders.

We kick things off with a look at how smart builders are improving margins without hiring more staff — by bringing in support where it counts, from estimating to admin, thanks to services like Scale Up Smart.

Then we head south to Victoria, where a new TAFE and Master Builders initiative could finally help fix the skills crisis. Plus, Queensland’s ‘Lay the Way’ bricklaying program is taking a boots-on approach to getting more tradies on-site — especially in the regions that need them most.

We wrap with a Brew with the Builder featuring Kai Oranshaw from the Sunshine Coast. He’s proving that craftsmanship isn’t dead — and that sometimes your best mentor is your competition.

Packed with insights, real talk and industry wins — this is one for builders who give a damn.

🎧 Links:

Listen on Spotify

Watch the clips on YouTube

Read the stories at thegoodbuilder.com.au

In this solo episode, Az flips the usual “business is war” narrative on its head and introduces a metaphor that builders, trades and suppliers will actually relate to, your business is a garden.

Inspired by a recent email from Ali Mamujee (The Moat), Az unpacks the powerful mindset shift builders need right now:

• Why rushing the harvest leads to burnout
• The importance of pruning — in your business and in life
• How to read the seasons of the construction market
• What it means to protect your ‘soil’ — your culture, your team, your reputation

With building approvals at decade lows and industry fatigue setting in, this is your reminder to step back, check the roots, and plant for the future.

Too many businesses think culture is Friday beers or the occasional team day. In reality, it’s the daily standards, the way leaders show up, and how teams handle mistakes.

In this episode of The Good Builder Podcast, Aaron sits down with Dan from 1000 Feet Deep to unpack what real team building looks like in construction and beyond. From the “hand, head and heart” approach to psychological safety, unity, and accountability, Dan breaks down the foundations of culture that actually last.

Whether you’re a builder growing your first crew or a business owner running multiple teams, this conversation is packed with practical takeaways you can use straight away.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Most builders think tech means massive systems, big costs, and long rollouts. But the truth? A handful of simple tools can transform how you win work, manage clients, and stand out from the crowd.

In this Daily Dose, Az shares 5 practical tech ideas you can implement this week:

• AI customer service agents to handle client FAQs
• Live chat that boosts website leads by up to 40% (LiveChat Monitoring)
• Lead magnets around first home buyer schemes and land releases
• Virtual display homes that convert at 4x the rate of plans alone
• Display home kiosks that capture real-time feedback and fresh leads

No heavy lifting, no endless planning — just practical hacks to make your building business smarter and sharper.

👉 Tune in and try one of these this month. The results might surprise you.

Most people would’ve quit after a product fail that cost them eighty grand.

Kirstee and Shane doubled down.

They went from mixing batches in their garage to running a national franchise with global distributors — all while building a business that works around life, not the other way around.

My big takeaways:

• Stubborn wins – grit beats “perfect” every time.
• Lifestyle > hustle – their model gives franchisees flexibility and profit.
• Community counts – they don’t just make money; they put it back into local causes.
• Cut the divide – Kirstee’s women-in-construction take is pure common sense: stop segregating, start collaborating.

This isn’t just a business story. It’s a masterclass in how to keep swinging when the scoreboard’s against you.

Check them out: https://goopguys.com/

In today’s Daily Dose, we bring you three innovations shaking up the building industry.

First, Surpley — the online marketplace helping builders and tradies turn surplus materials into cash instead of landfill.

Second, the newest evolution of AI with ChatGPT-5, now faster, smarter, and able to work with plans, photos, and documents to save builders serious time.

And third, Google VEO3 — a next-level video intelligence tool that can scan, search, and summarise hours of site footage in seconds.

Whether you want to boost your efficiency, reduce waste, or keep a closer eye on your sites, these tools are worth a look.

For more industry news and insights, head to thegoodbuilder.com.au.

In this episode of The Good Builder Podcast, we’re serving up a triple-header that blends business grit, regional wins, and some exciting news from TGB HQ.

First up, a sneak peek at this Friday’s episode with Kirstee from Goop Guys. What started as a humble cleaning business on the Sunshine Coast turned into a revolutionary product idea, and then a nightmare $80,000 product failure that could have ended it all. Instead, Kirstee and her husband Shane doubled down, fixed the formula, and built a 25-year franchise empire with national reach and international distributors. Their story is a masterclass in resilience, innovation, and building a business around the life you want.

Next, we head to South Australia’s Mid North for a $1 million housing boost in Port Pirie. Graycar Contractors have blown expectations out of the water, delivering more than double the housing lots required under Renewal SA’s Regional Housing Initiatives Program. With 10 key worker homes locked in and 42 new allotments, this project is set to strengthen the local workforce and supercharge the Balmoral Park Estate development — all in record time.

And finally, we’ve got two big announcements from The Good Builder:

• Our brand-new Video Offer for builders and suppliers who want their products or projects showcased in professional, on-site videos that get in front of thousands of industry eyes — without the boring corporate vibe.
• The soon-to-launch TGB Trade Directory, a national online hub where quality trades can connect with quality builders. Think of it as the matchmaking service the industry’s been crying out for — minus the awkward small talk.

Whether you’re here for the inspiration, the industry intel, or just a laugh at our analogies, this one’s packed with value.

Jasmyn and Logan have each spent a decade on the tools as electricians, often as the only women on site. Out of those experiences came The Go Company...a business creating practical on-site solutions for female tradies, building community through monthly catch-ups, and partnering with charities like TIACS to support mental health.

In this episode of The Good Builder Podcast, we talk about their early careers, the challenges they faced, the spark that started The Go Company, and why male allies are essential to progress for women in trades. This is a candid, practical conversation about making worksites better for everyone.

Listen in and become part of the conversation.

In this episode of The Good Builder Podcast, we explore three stories that prove our industry runs on relationships.

• Porsche Cup Race Day: How MyConstruct turned a day at the track into a masterclass in connection and gratitude.
• SkyRidge for Sale: The inside scoop on a once-in-a-generation Gold Coast development opportunity — and what it means for builders.
• The Silence After Handover: Why smart builders never disappear after the keys are handed over, and how to turn past clients into lifelong advocates.

Whether you’re chasing the next big project, nurturing client loyalty, or just looking for a fresh perspective, these stories connect the dots between opportunity, trust, and long-term success.