The Puzzle Factory: Real Talk for NZ Electricians and Trade Businesses

From growing up in Kaitaia to becoming one of New Zealand’s leading KiwiSaver experts, John Bell’s story is all about vision, grit, and smart financial thinking. In this episode of The Puzzle Factory, we dive into John’s journey—from his rural upbringing and love of rugby to building Kauri Wealth into a trusted name in financial advice.

John unpacks what most Kiwis still get wrong about KiwiSaver, how to make your money work smarter, and why mindset matters just as much as money. Plus, we do a live review of Alex’s KiwiSaver and discuss how to set yourself up for long-term success—without the jargon.

https://www.kauriwealth.nz/

Disclaimer:The information discussed in this podcast is for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Any opinions expressed are those of the hosts or guests and do not reflect the views of any affiliated organisations. Before making any financial decisions, you should consider your own circumstances and consult a licensed financial adviser.

Jeremy Foster started in the trenches - knocking on doors, selling direct to homeowners. From those humble beginnings, he helped grow HRV into a household Kiwi brand, and today he’s the General Manager of Fujitsu General NZ, leading one of the country’s biggest HVAC players.

In this episode of The Puzzle Factory, Jeremy takes us through:

• His incredible rise from door-to-door sales to executive leadership

• The behind-the-scenes story of scaling HRV into a national success

• His 10 proven steps to convert every in-home sale

• Why great sales is about discipline, empathy, and systems

• What it takes to lead and grow a brand like Fujitsu in today’s market

🔥 Packed with real advice for tradies, salespeople, and business owners — this is a masterclass in career growth and closing deals.

https://nztradegroup.co.nz/contact-us/

In this no-fluff episode of The Puzzle Factory, Alex sits down with Luke Kemeys — chartered accountant, host of Keep the Change, co-founder of Next Advisory, and part of the crew behind Boys Get Paid — to tackle the money topics tradies often dodge. From what provisional tax actually is to building wealth with the right mindset, this is essential listening for anyone in the trades.

💰 What provisional tax really means and how not to get caught out
💰 Why most tradies confuse profit with cashflow (and how to fix that)
💰 Luke’s “abundance” mindset and how it powers everything from Next Advisory to Boys Get Paid
💰 Real tax horror stories that could happen to anyone
💰 Alex asks the questions you're too embarrassed to raise with your accountant

Whether you're quoting jobs, running a crew, or just trying to get ahead — this episode delivers clarity, laughs, and a few wake-up calls.

https://www.keepthechange.co.nz/

https://nextadvisory.nz/

https://nztradegroup.co.nz/contact-us/

Disclaimer:The information discussed in this podcast is for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Any opinions expressed are those of the hosts or guests and do not reflect the views of any affiliated organisations. Before making any financial decisions, you should consider your own circumstances and consult a licensed financial adviser.

He went viral for skulling the worst booze on Facebook. Now he’s a professional gambler, personal brand powerhouse, and sharp operator in the digital game. In this episode of The Puzzle Factory, Alex sits down with Matt Jordan — the man behind SPM — to unpack how he built a cult following, monetised chaos, and stepped away from full-time work in his early 30s.

🎯 How SPM became a nationwide brand
🎯 Building a loyal audience by being unapologetically real
🎯 Transitioning from entertainment to professional betting
🎯 Why Matt values connection over clout
🎯 Lessons on brand-building, risk-taking, and backing yourself

Whether you’re a tradie, content creator, or business owner — this one is packed with raw insight, laughs, and ideas that just might change how you show up online.

https://mattjordan.co.nz/

https://www.youtube.com/@mattjordanspm

https://nztradegroup.co.nz/contact-us/

In this powerful relaunch of The Puzzle Factory, Alex sits down with David Baker, founder of Rapid QS — the estimating service shaking up the New Zealand construction industry. We dive deep into the broken state of trade pricing, including inflated quotes from government departments and why transparency in construction costs is long overdue.

✅ Why some government project rates are wildly inflated
✅ How Rapid QS is helping tradies quote smarter and win more jobs
✅ The real impact of bad pricing on electricians, builders, and project managers
✅ What David’s building next for the future of trade pricing in NZ and Worldwide

Whether you’re a sparky, builder, QS or business owner — this is essential listening if you care about pricing fair, quoting better, and running a more profitable business.

https://rapidqs.net/

https://www.instagram.com/rapidqs/?hl=en

https://nztradegroup.co.nz/contact-us/

The Puzzle Factory Pod is back Bigger and Better!

We've got a new look, better production and the guests are next level.

Get amongst it!!!

We made it! In this season finale of The Puzzle Factory, Tait and I look back on an incredible first season—nearly 8,000 listens and views across platforms! We dive into the steep learning curve of launching a podcast, share what we’ve learned along the way, and, most importantly, thank all of you—our listeners and amazing guests.As a special thank you, we’re giving away 2x Mayhem Fishing Lures to the first two comments on Spotify or YouTube!Tune in for our Season 1 wrap-up, and get ready for even bigger things ahead in Season 2.🎣 Want to win? Drop a comment [email protected]

Guest: Mike “Mugsy” Mugglestone – Director, Full Power Electrical (Warkworth)
This week on The Puzzle Factory, we’re joined by Mike “Mugsy” Mugglestone, the man behind Full Power Electrical in Warkworth. After relocating and starting his business in the area 8 years ago, Mugsy has steadily grown it into a well-known name in the trade.

We dig into what it takes to establish yourself in a new town, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and how to navigate the day-to-day mental challenges that come with running a trade business. Oh—and we chat about that viral moment when a dolphin launched itself onto Mugsy’s boat during a fishing competition, which made international headlines.

Inside this episode:
⚡️ How to build and grow a trade business in a new area
⚡️ Lessons from 8 years in business—what worked, what didn’t
⚡️ Managing mental health in the trades, realistically
⚡️ The wild dolphin story that went global
⚡️ Worksite yarns that’ll have you laughing out loud

Why listen?
Whether you’re building your own business, looking for trade insights, or just keen for a good story, Mugsy brings the goods—real talk, hard-earned wisdom, and plenty of laughs.

https://fullpower.nz/

Episode 8: How to Quote an Electrical Job with Alex Hulme

Pricing electrical work isn’t just about throwing out a number—it’s about accuracy, profitability, and making sure you’re not selling yourself short. In this episode, host Alex Hulme gives a candid, no-nonsense take on how he approaches quoting, packed with practical advice you can put into action straight away.

What You’ll Learn :

⚡ What information you need
📋 Getting material pricing from the suppliers
💡 How to structure a quote
🔍 Tips and tricks so you don't make the same mistakes I have

This episode is full of gems that will help you refine your quoting process, charge what you're worth, and ultimately, grow your business.

About the Host:

With 20 years in the electrical industry, Alex Hulme has worked as an electrician, project manager, estimator, and even as the director of a successful electrical business. He knows first-hand the challenges of pricing jobs effectively and shares real-world strategies to help tradies quote smarter and win more work.

www.nztradegroup.co.nz

🎧 Tune in now and level up your quoting game!

#ThePuzzleFactory #NZElectrician #ElectricalQuotes #TradeBusiness #SparkyLife

The Puzzle Factory - Episode 7

🎙 Guest: Paul Sievers – Devonport Electrical

Episode Summary:

Ever been burned by a “guaranteed leads” digital marketing promise? Or wondered why NZ’s electrical apprenticeship system feels a bit… outdated? This week, Paul Sievers from Devonport Electrical joins Alex to expose the biggest traps tradies fall into, why apprenticeships need an overhaul, and a sneaky hazard lurking under the bed.

Yep, we’re going there. From overpriced Google Ads to dodgy apprenticeships and phones that could (literally) shock you, this episode is packed with real talk, expert insights, and a few solid laughs.

What’s Inside?

🔹 The truth about digital marketing for tradies—what works & what’s a scam
🔹 NZ’s electrical apprenticeship system: where it fails & how to fix it
🔹 Why your phone might be more dangerous than the wiring you’re working on
🔹 The fine line between tech convenience and liability in a client’s home
🔹 Practical tips to protect your business, your tools, and your sanity

About Paul:Paul Sievers is the kind of sparky who’s seen it all—good jobs, bad jobs, and enough marketing horror stories to write a book. With years in the trade, he’s got sharp insights into business growth, training the next generation, and keeping yourself out of trouble on the job.

https://devonportelectrical.co.nz/

📩 Got feedback or want to be on the show? Email us at [email protected]
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