Joining Matt Jones in this podcast are Dani Wales and Dan Reilly from the television show, The Block, Dani and Dan shares with us their entrepreneurial journey on and off the camera. They talk about their wins and challenges and what they’ve done to keep their boat afloat. 

From the hiring process up until hiring professional photographers, Dani and Dan gave out all their tips and tricks that lead them to their success. 

If you’re just starting out with your business or maybe just want to learn more about creating great content, this podcast is for you.

What’s discussed in this episode:

1. What is The Red Door Project by Dan and Dani?
2. How The Block inspired Dan.
3. Why is it important to create relevant content?
4. How Dan started in the trade industry.
5. Dani’s experience in the finance realm.
6. How Dan and Dani started in The Block.
7. The importance of checklists in the business and how to make them.
8. Dan and Dani’s hiring process.
9. How finding someone who fits the cultural mould is important when hiring.
10. The importance of aligning yourself and introducing yourself to lots of different businesses and business owners.
11. How ego makes it hard to overcome hurdles.
12. Trade industry welcomes women.
13. How to overcome camera shyness and boost your business.
14. Why it is important to use professional photographers when marketing your business.
15. Optimising social media for your business.
16. How to retain leads.
17. Why going big too early is dangerous for business.
18. The importance of finding your why.

About our guests:

Dani || Dani Wales is a recognised personality in the home interior industry after earning her title as one half of the “Power Couple” on The Block in 2012, and again on The Block All-Stars in 2013 with her partner Dan Reilly. Their renovated “Block” houses in both South Melbourne and Bondi have been widely acclaimed as stylish and beautifully resolved.

 

Dan || Since his first appearance

Enjoyed the podcast? Take your trade business to the next level by incorporating AI! Don’t get left behind—explore Tradie Hub at tradiehub.net. Discover game-changing AI solutions designed to boost efficiency and growth for trade businesses worldwide. Check it out today! 

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Part Three – Everything You Need to Know About Insurance Panel Discussion 

Series: Everything You Need to Know About Insurance

Guest: Dan Blatch of IMFG and Jeremy Andison of Intertrade Insurance Solutions

With so many options and types of insurance policies, it can be challenging to identify what is relevant for your situation. It can feel overwhelming if you’re not adequately informed when it comes to insurance-related policies and differences.

Drawing a close to the ‘Everything You Need to Know About Insurance’ series, today’s episode will be a panel discussion, and we’re back with insurance specialists Dan Blatch and Jeremy Andison. In this episode, we will help you understand the differences and crossovers with the insurance policies we discussed in the first two episodes. We’ll also talk about the dynamics and relationships between different insurance coverages, insurers, and policies.

As tradies, we often overlook the importance of insurance, and I am sure this series is relevant for everyone in the industry. Don’t miss out and tune in to this jam-packed episode!

For other stories on insurance and compensation, check out these episodes:

• TSS051 – What Is OH&S? – [LINK]
• TSS157 – Spending Your Money Wisely – [LINK]
• TSS165 – Moving Forward After An Incident – [LINK]

About this podcast, ‘Everything You Need to Know About Insurance Panel Discussion’ Podcast Highlights:

• 08:17 – The value of having a specialist to help lay the minefield on claims
• 15:14 – Conditions and exclusions that apply depending on the insurance coverage
• 17:39 – The natural filter point
• 21:34 – Where is the starting point in getting the right insurance?
• 22:41 – What are the things you could do in advance before taking the insurance policy?
• 29:11 – Building an insurance package and tailoring it to best suit a client’s situation
• 32:24 – Always provide a record of what might be stolen or damaged

Enjoyed the podcast? Take your trade business to the next level by incorporating AI! Don’t get left behind—explore Tradie Hub at tradiehub.net. Discover game-changing AI solutions designed to boost efficiency and growth for trade businesses worldwide. Check it out today! 

👀 Check This Out:
Thinking about adding AI to your trade business? Discover what’s possible with TradieHub.net

📲 Stay Connected:

• Facebook: The Site Shed
• Instagram: @thesiteshed
• LinkedIn: The Site Shed
• Website: thesiteshed.com
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Part Two – Insurance Policies Tradies Need to Have

Series: Everything You Need to Know About Insurance

Guest: Jeremy Andison of Intertrade Insurance Solutions

Let’s talk about insurance and trades paperwork: many of us think that we have the right policies. But in reality, we don’t. Insurance is critical not only in protecting your life and physical self but also in guarding your business.

Life insurance and income protection insurance tend to get overlooked because they sound quite boring. In this podcast, we want to make sure that business owners learn how to protect themselves if something unfortunate does happen.

Today, Jeremy Andison of Intertrade Insurance Solutions joins us this episode. As insurance brokers, Intertrade Insurance Solutions advocates for their clients to obtain the right insurance. If a customer needs to watch a claim, the team is there to help. Jeremy will cover things like motor, public liability, tool, and general property insurance for business owners.

For other stories on protecting yourself and your business, check out our Keeping Safety Simple Series

• TSS163 – Keeping Safety Simple Series Part 1: Getting the right safety systems in place  – [LINK]
• TSS164 – Keeping Safety Simple Series Part 1: Responding to incidents correctly – [LINK]
• TSS165 – Keeping Safety Simple Series Part 3: Moving Forward After An Incident — [LINK]

About This Podcast, ‘Insurance Policies for Tradies’

Podcast Highlights

• 5:22 – Why talking to a broker is better than jumping online and finding the first available insurance company
• 5:58 – Reviewing and updating your insurance regularly
• 6:57 – Things that typically need to be updated
• 8:22 – What public utility covers and why the insurance must be in the right name
• 9:36 – What happens if the insurer does not know about the motor accessories and attachments
• 10:34 – General property or tools insurance vs. motor vehicle insurance
• 14:53 – What you need to consider in a motor vehicle insurance
• 15:48 – Getting more value for your money
• 19:34 – Other matters that public liability covers
• 24:08 – Why the client needs to know what the conditions are on their policies 

In thi

Enjoyed the podcast? Take your trade business to the next level by incorporating AI! Don’t get left behind—explore Tradie Hub at tradiehub.net. Discover game-changing AI solutions designed to boost efficiency and growth for trade businesses worldwide. Check it out today! 

👀 Check This Out:
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Series: Everything You Need to Know About Insurance

Guest: Dan Blatch, director of IMFG

We cannot foresee when and what accidents and illnesses will happen to us, as well as our families. Although these situations may be out of our control, there is a way we can prepare for these and protect ourselves from their consequences. And that is through investing in insurance policies.

This is the first episode of the 'Everything You Need to Know About Insurance' series. Today, we'll cover topics such as business-related insurance and how you can create incentives around it to help retain staff. We also talk about family and life insurance, as well as income protection policies.

Tune in to the show to know more about the specifics of investing in insurance and which ones you can get.

For other safety and insurance stories, check out these episodes:

• TSS051 – What Is OH&S? – [LINK]
• TSS165 – Moving Forward After An Incident– [LINK]
• TSS219 – Responding To Incidents Correctly – [LINK]

About this podcast, 'Safeguarding You and Your Family's Future.' Podcast Highlights:

• 06:45 – Occupational therapist turned insurance specialist
• 08:24 – Insurance advising 
• 10:22 – Why is knowledge about insurance necessary?
• 12:30 – Income protection policy
• 19:04 – Factors that contribute to premiums and the type of policies
• 24:14 – What insurance should families sign up for?
• 26:43 – It is essential to have regular reviews to ensure that the plan continues to suit your situation.
• 27:50 – Death insurance policy
• 29:18 – Trauma or critical illness insurance coverage
• 33:19 – Three ownership structures of income protection policy
• 39:04 – Business expenses policy
• 41:58 – What is quality insurance?
• 46:37 – Group insurance
• 49:09 – P

Enjoyed the podcast? Take your trade business to the next level by incorporating AI! Don’t get left behind—explore Tradie Hub at tradiehub.net. Discover game-changing AI solutions designed to boost efficiency and growth for trade businesses worldwide. Check it out today! 

👀 Check This Out:
Thinking about adding AI to your trade business? Discover what’s possible with TradieHub.net

📲 Stay Connected:

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• Instagram: @thesiteshed
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How to Become a National Award-Winning Trade Business

Guest: Tom Martin, director of Water Tight Canberra

It’s not uncommon to have a polarised vision of what your business is and the potential it has. It might feel daunting to be up against other businesses in your niche. However, there is always a chance of coming out on top. So how can you, as a tradesperson, become an award-winning business?

In this episode, we’re talking with Tom Martin of Water Tight Canberra, which won the ‘Small and Succeeding’ category of the 2019 ACT Telstra Business Awards. Today, we’ll cover the right mindset and foundation behind this win. We’ll also talk about the role of education and being agile in business and how building to scale looks like.

If you want to know what it's like to be a national award-winning trade business, then this episode is for you. Don't miss this episode and tune in as we guide you towards that path.

For other stories of success, check these podcast episodes:

• TSS191 – Become A Home Service Millionaire – [LINK]
• TSS219 – Zero to a Million in Four Years – [LINK]
• TSS223 – From 2 Staff to 300 in 9 Years – [LINK]

About this podcast, ‘How to Become a National Award-Winning Trade Business’ Podcast Highlights:

• 08:56 – Beginnings in the industry—the apprenticeship model
• 14:29 – Specializing in maintenance as opposed to the construction mode
• 16:16 – Education is the key
• 19:06 – The importance of getting online reviews
• 23:43 – Starting and managing a business
• 26:19 – The influence of networking groups to your personal development
• 29:50 – Creating systems and policies for a more organized job and better-managed staff and teams
• 38:02 – Winning the Small Business Award in the Telstra Business Awards
• 46:33 – Finding and retaining staff

This episode highlighted the role of systems and tools in managing teams in businesses. He also talked about networking groups and onli

Enjoyed the podcast? Take your trade business to the next level by incorporating AI! Don’t get left behind—explore Tradie Hub at tradiehub.net. Discover game-changing AI solutions designed to boost efficiency and growth for trade businesses worldwide. Check it out today! 

👀 Check This Out:
Thinking about adding AI to your trade business? Discover what’s possible with TradieHub.net

📲 Stay Connected:

• Facebook: The Site Shed
• Instagram: @thesiteshed
• LinkedIn: The Site Shed
• Website: thesiteshed.com
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The 20-Year Journey to Becoming a Successful Builder

Guest: Mat Dale of MPD Constructions Group

 

All beginners in business go through a rough start. Even the most successful entrepreneurs of today faced obstacles and speed bumps along the way. How can you learn from their experiences?

Mathew Dale of MPD Constructions Group joins us in today’s episode. He will talk about casting a vision for your business and how to make the right decisions in every situation. He will also talk about the importance of learning and adapting to give your business the best possible chance.

If you’re still new to the industry and need help eliminating speed bumps in your business, tune in to this episode. We will share relatable stories and proven business models to guide you on your journey.

For more inspiring and insightful success stories from other tradies, check these episodes:

• TSS 215 – How Darren 4-X’d His Electrical Business In 7 Months  – [LINK]
• TSS 219 – Zero to a Million in Four Years – [LINK]
• TSS 223 – From 2 Staff to 300 in 9 Years – [LINK]
• TSS 228 – How to Build a Successful Business in a Small Town – [LINK]

  About this podcast, ‘The 20-Year Journey to Becoming a Successful Builder’ Podcast Highlights:

• 07:41 – Targeting and marketing to the right clients
• 11:50 – The importance of asking ‘awkward’ budget-related questions before taking on a client
• 16:47 – How Matt continually improves and optimizes his business processes
• 30:33 – Being selective about whom you work with and gaining your clients’ trust
• 39:31 – Creating content on your website vs. social media
• 41: 48 – The importance of storytelling and case studies in your content
• 46:20 – Why you should learn where your business stands from a cash flow point of view
• 56:15 – The most significant obstacles Matt encountered and how he overcame them

This

Enjoyed the podcast? Take your trade business to the next level by incorporating AI! Don’t get left behind—explore Tradie Hub at tradiehub.net. Discover game-changing AI solutions designed to boost efficiency and growth for trade businesses worldwide. Check it out today! 

👀 Check This Out:
Thinking about adding AI to your trade business? Discover what’s possible with TradieHub.net

📲 Stay Connected:

• Facebook: The Site Shed
• Instagram: @thesiteshed
• LinkedIn: The Site Shed
• Website: thesiteshed.com
• Join a global community of 6000+ trade professionals https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheSiteShed

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How to Build a Successful Business in a Small Town

Guest: Kristin Keogh of Keogh Plumbing Services

 

People are always up to try out something new. They could be willing to move from a big city to a small and unknown town to achieve their goals and aspirations. But with change comes fear. Can you risk beginning from scratch?

In today's episode, we talk with Kristin Keogh, who has been applying the small business mindset to his business. Like you, he began his business with nothing. But his goals and aspirations kept him going.

If you are looking for new strategies to improve or build your business in a small town, then make sure to tune in to the show. From customer care, communications, networking, and building rapport, Kristin and I got you covered!

 

If you want to listen to episodes related to networking on businesses, check out the following:

• TSS 116 – Knowing Your Customer – [LINK]
• TSS 143 – Dominating Customer Service – [LINK]
• TSS 218 – Using Data To Create An Amazing Customer Experience – [LINK]

 

About this podcast, ‘Applying A Small Business Mindset To Increase Your Consumer Sales’ Podcast Highlights:

• 05:36 – The power of testimonials
• 07:30 – The importance of having a follow-up process
• 09:42 – The power of content
• 12:33 – Refining your means to accommodate your customers’ needs
• 13:34 – Substituting time for money
• 16:35 – The impact of having a small business mentality
• 19:00 – Knowing what your business can best offer
• 21:55 – Understanding your business from within
• 23:40 – The importance of liability
• 27:07 – The effect of courage 
• 28:22 – Where actively learning can take you
• 31:24 – Creating your destiny

 

This episode talks about customer engagement strategies that you can use to increase your profi

Enjoyed the podcast? Take your trade business to the next level by incorporating AI! Don’t get left behind—explore Tradie Hub at tradiehub.net. Discover game-changing AI solutions designed to boost efficiency and growth for trade businesses worldwide. Check it out today! 

👀 Check This Out:
Thinking about adding AI to your trade business? Discover what’s possible with TradieHub.net

📲 Stay Connected:

• Facebook: The Site Shed
• Instagram: @thesiteshed
• LinkedIn: The Site Shed
• Website: thesiteshed.com
• Join a global community of 6000+ trade professionals https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheSiteShed

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Welcome to 2020! What’s your game plan for this year? We accomplished a lot in the past year, and now we’re conquering another one. This is our 227th episode, and last year we became one of the largest business podcast for tradespeople. All in all, it’s been a very amazing and surreal year for us.

In today’s episode, I’ll give a recap of the important highlights and areas that we tackled in 2019. We talked with some of the most amazing people in the trade industry, and we learned a lot of different business know-how and life wisdom from them.

With the arrival of a new year, we’ll have a rundown of what’s to come in 2020 on The Site Shed Podcast and the things that we are rolling out. With the recent events that have been happening, let’s not lose hope and let’s claim 2020 to be a fantastic year. 

Check out the best episodes in The Site Shed podcast here:

• TSS113 – When Is The Right Time To Expand With Al Levi and Ellen Rohr – [LINK]
• TSS191 – Become A Home Service Millionaire With Tommy Mello – [LINK]
• TSS109 – Modular Building With Bill McCorkell – [LINK]

  About this podcast, ‘2020 is here. Let’s blow it APART!’ Podcast Highlights:

• 04:18 – The best Site Shed podcast episodes from a statistical point of view
• 05:48 – Our community of global trade business owners
• 07:49 – Fantastic events and workshops in The Site Shed
• 10:08 – The best books of 2019
• 14:00 – 2019’s most significant lesson: Creating positive habits that lead to success
• 16:01 – Do not underestimate how interesting your story can be to other people
• 17:49 – Having an accountability partner helps you focus on the fundamental things
• 19:36 – We’re aiming for consistent growth in our community in 2020, as well as taking more proactive steps as an industry leader
• 21:13 – First big announcement: Adventure workshop in New Zealand!
• 22:50 – The reason why we hold these events
• 24:57 – Second big announcement: The

Enjoyed the podcast? Take your trade business to the next level by incorporating AI! Don’t get left behind—explore Tradie Hub at tradiehub.net. Discover game-changing AI solutions designed to boost efficiency and growth for trade businesses worldwide. Check it out today! 

👀 Check This Out:
Thinking about adding AI to your trade business? Discover what’s possible with TradieHub.net

📲 Stay Connected:

• Facebook: The Site Shed
• Instagram: @thesiteshed
• LinkedIn: The Site Shed
• Website: thesiteshed.com
• Join a global community of 6000+ trade professionals https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheSiteShed

⭐ Enjoyed This Episode? Leave us a review here!

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Part Three – Using LinkedIn to Create Business Opportunities

Series: How to Use LinkedIn as a Tradie

Guest: Jacob Bracey, founder and director of Underdog Agency

There are 750 million users on the LinkedIn platform. The problem for most business owners is how to tap into the potential partners and clients among the millions of users. How can you do that?

Today’s episode is the third and final instalment of our LinkedIn series with the Underdog Agency founder, Jacob Bracey. In the last episode, we talked about understanding the value of LinkedIn as a platform. In this episode, we’re here to talk about engagement and outreach strategies that work.

If you’re looking for a way to reach your target market among the millions of possibilities, then make sure to tune in to the show. We’ll guide you on how to increase your reach to grow your business.

For other stories on building a profitable business, check these episodes:

• TSS122 – Marketing Your Business – [LINK]
• TSS171 – Building Won’t Make You A Million Bucks, Marketing Will – [LINK]
• TSS198 - Maximising Gross Profit in Your Business – [LINK]

About this podcast, ‘Using LinkedIn to Create Business Opportunities’ Podcast Highlights:

• 07:13 – The problem with LinkedIn
• 08:48 – Starting a relationship with a potential client or partner
• 13:29 – Facebook versus LinkedIn posts
• 15:01 – Expanding reach through clients
• 15:47 – Setting up a company page on LinkedIn
• 17:38 – Using Sales Navigator for leads
• 20:56 – Importance of profile taglines

This episode shares LinkedIn outreach and engagement strategies that you can use to grow your market. It also explains how to use the powerful Sales Navigator, a convenient tool to look for potential clients and partners for your business.

This final episode wraps up our LinkedIn series. Here’s a quick recap of this 3-part talk: first, we gave a step-by-step tutorial for creating your LinkedIn profile. Then, we talked about understan

Enjoyed the podcast? Take your trade business to the next level by incorporating AI! Don’t get left behind—explore Tradie Hub at tradiehub.net. Discover game-changing AI solutions designed to boost efficiency and growth for trade businesses worldwide. Check it out today! 

👀 Check This Out:
Thinking about adding AI to your trade business? Discover what’s possible with TradieHub.net

📲 Stay Connected:

• Facebook: The Site Shed
• Instagram: @thesiteshed
• LinkedIn: The Site Shed
• Website: thesiteshed.com
• Join a global community of 6000+ trade professionals https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheSiteShed

⭐ Enjoyed This Episode? Leave us a review here!

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Part Two – How LinkedIn works best for tradies

Series: How to Use LinkedIn as a Tradie

Guest: Jake Bracey, founder and director of Underdog Agency

 

Did you know that there are around 750 million LinkedIn users around the world? A vast amount of traders, contractors, and blue-collar industry workers are now on LinkedIn and using it as a business resource. Why? What makes LinkedIn an effective platform?

 

Today's episode is part two of our How to Use LinkedIn as a Tradie series with Underdog Agency founder, Jacob Bracey. In the last episode, we talked about the know-how of building your profile the right way. In this episode, we're here to talk about the tools and features LinkedIn offers that you might not be familiar with, but can help you find potential customers.

 

If you're looking for a way to grow and expand your business, make sure that you tune it to this podcast. As we dive into the value of LinkedIn, you will learn how this can be possible.

 

For other business development stories, you may check these episodes:

• TSS171 – Building Won't Make You A Million Bucks, Marketing Will – [LINK]
• TSS186 – How To Make The Most Out Of Your Network – [LINK]
• TSS220 – Valuing Your Trade Business – What You Need To Understand – [LINK]

 

About this podcast, 'How LinkedIn Works Best For Tradies' Podcast Highlights:

• 05:04 – LinkedIn as a professional business platform
• 06:52 – The start and growth of LinkedIn
• 09:07 – Free and premium features
• 11:42 – Building referral networks and relationships
• 14:01 – Connecting with clients
• 16:44 – LinkedIn is not for generating leads
• 17:41 – The advantages of having a LinkedIn profile
• 19:50 – Presence and opportunities

 

The episode highlights the value proposition of LinkedIn and how it becomes useful in connecting with people that can deliver you potential business growth. This is an instrumental series for those who have an audience or

Enjoyed the podcast? Take your trade business to the next level by incorporating AI! Don’t get left behind—explore Tradie Hub at tradiehub.net. Discover game-changing AI solutions designed to boost efficiency and growth for trade businesses worldwide. Check it out today! 

👀 Check This Out:
Thinking about adding AI to your trade business? Discover what’s possible with TradieHub.net

📲 Stay Connected:

• Facebook: The Site Shed
• Instagram: @thesiteshed
• LinkedIn: The Site Shed
• Website: thesiteshed.com
• Join a global community of 6000+ trade professionals https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheSiteShed

⭐ Enjoyed This Episode? Leave us a review here!

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