The ToolShed Podcast

Getting to $100 million is possible. The real question is, at what cost? In this episode, Mick sits down with Anthony Tarquinio, Civil Engineer and Director of Evve Group, an 8-figure construction company building multiple projects simultaneously across Melbourne.

This is not the highlight reel version of a success story. Anthony opens up about what coaching actually feels like once the early excitement fades, the daily mindset work that keeps him grounded, and the partnership breakdown that forces him to rethink everything he thought he knew about growth.

Connect with Anthony: Company: https://evvegroup.com.au/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063547690079 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evvegroup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/evve-group/

More profit, less grind? Take the Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard: https://buildersfreedomreadiness.scoreapp.com/

What if the biggest thing holding your building business back isn't a lack of leads, staff, or systems? What if it's trying to do everything on your own?

In Part 2 of this inspiring conversation, Mick Hawes sits down again with Andy Kearns, Director of Perway Construction Services and long-time Builders Business Blackbelt member, to dive deeper into the lessons that transformed both his business and personal life.

The conversation also explores the power of finding your values, planning your life before your work, giving back through his Build It Forward charity, and how virtual assistants have helped create more freedom and flexibility for his family and business.

Connect with Andy Kearns: Website: https://www.perway.com.au/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PerwayConstruction/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perwayconstructionservices/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-kearns-a1819631/

More profit, less grind? Take the Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard: https://buildersfreedomreadiness.scoreapp.com/

What happens when a builder stops trying to do everything alone?

In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, Andy Kearns shares how coaching transformed his residential building business. We discuss builder mindset, business coaching, construction leadership, builder burnout, personal development, and construction business growth.

This is an honest conversation about why success in business isn't just about systems and strategy it's about the person leading the business.

Connect with Andy Kearns: Website: https://www.perway.com.au/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PerwayConstruction/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perwayconstructionservices/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-kearns-a1819631/

More profit, less grind? Take the Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard: https://buildersfreedomreadiness.scoreapp.com/

Could ATO debt be putting your business at risk without you even realising it?

In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, I'm joined down with Registered Liquidator and Chartered Accountant Jarvis Archer to discuss the simple financial mistakes that often lead businesses into trouble. Learn how better visibility of your numbers, understanding director drawings, and managing ATO debt can help protect your business and create a clearer path forward. Connect with Jarvis: Website: https://businessreset.com.au/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573289395251 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/businessresetteam LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarvisarcher/

More profit, less grind? Take the Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard: https://buildersfreedomreadiness.scoreapp.com/

What if the biggest thing holding your building business back isn't a lack of staff, it's a lack of the right systems?

In this episode, Mick Hawes sits down with Andrew Sirianni, Managing Director of Dcode Group, to talk about one of the most practical topics for any builder or tradie running a small team: how to use automation and custom software to get more done without growing your headcount.

Andrew shares how a single workflow automation early in his career produced a 400% jump in productivity and how that moment led him to build an entire company around solving the same problem for small and medium businesses across Australia.

Connect with Andrew: Andrew's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewsirianni/ Website: https://dcodegroup.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dcodegroup/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dcode_group/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/comp

More profit, less grind? Take the Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard: https://buildersfreedomreadiness.scoreapp.com/

Are your quotes costing you time, profit… or both?

In Part 2 of EP 169 of The ToolShed Podcast, Mick Hawes sits down with Joey Hidalgo to unpack one of the biggest bottlenecks in a building business, estimating.

Most builders don't struggle because they can't quote… They struggle because they don't have a system behind it.

This episode explores how improving your estimating process can lead to better pricing accuracy, stronger margins, and more time to focus on actually growing your business.

Connect with Joey: Website: https://estimatormatch.ai/ & https://www.measuringcompany.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/measuringcompany Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/measuringcompany/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/themeasuringcompany/ Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TheProfitableEstimator

Connect with Joey: Website: https://estimatormatch.ai/ & https://www.measuringcompany.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/measuringcompany Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/measuringcompany/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/themeasuringcompany/ Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TheProfitableEstimator More profit, less grind? Take the Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard: https://buildersfreedomreadiness.scoreapp.com/

In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, I sit down with Joey Hidalgo, founder of The Measuring Company, to unpack one of the biggest hidden challenges in the building industry, estimating.

Most builders don't struggle because they lack work. They struggle because estimating becomes a bottleneck. Late nights, second-guessing numbers, and trying to stay competitive without truly understanding costs are all too common.

Joey shares how what started as helping a few builders with their quotes quickly revealed a much bigger issue across the industry. It's not just about pricing it's about the absence of systems behind it. Connect with Joey: Website: https://estimatormatch.ai/ & https://www.measuringcompany.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/measuringcompany Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/measuringcompany/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/themeasuringcompany/ Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TheProfitableEstimator More profit, less grind? Take the Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard: https://buildersfreedomreadiness.scoreapp.com/

Are Bigger Jobs Actually Holding Your Building Business Back?

Every builder wants the big project the prestige, the revenue, the recognition. But what if chasing bigger jobs is quietly costing you profit, time, and freedom?

In Part 2 with Adrian Ramsay, we unpack why the smartest builders don't chase size ,they chase alignment. From choosing the right clients to creating a process that builds trust, this episode challenges how you think about profit, leadership, and long-term success.

If you want better margins, less stress, and a business that actually supports your life, this one's worth your time.

Connect with Adrian: Website: https://ardesignhouse.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdrianRamsayDesignHouse/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adrianramsay LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrian-ramsay-6197a73/ Podcast: https://talkdesign.show/

More profit, less grind? Take the Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard: https://buildersfreedomreadiness.scoreapp.com/

Are your biggest projects actually your least profitable?

In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast (EP 168 Part 1), I sit down with Adrian Ramsay , award-winning building designer and host of Dream Homes Revealed, to unpack the truth about profit, projects, and building a business that works.

Adrian shares how smaller "learning projects" can often deliver better margins than large, ego-driven builds, and why choosing the right clients matters more than chasing big-dollar jobs. We also touch on simple financial systems, cash flow, and turning challenges into strengths in business.

Key Takeaways:• Small projects can drive higher profit • Don't chase jobs, choose the right clients • Build systems that support your business

Tune in and rethink how you approach profit and growth.

Connect with Adrian: Website: https://ardesignhouse.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdrianRamsayDesignHouse/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adrianramsay LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrian-ramsay-6197a73/ Podcast: https://talkdesign.show/

More profit, less grind? Take the Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard: https://buildersfreedomreadiness.scoreapp.com/

What if the biggest mistake investors make isn't the stock they pick… but how they think about the market?

In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, Mick sits down with seasoned investor Terry Tran to unpack the misconceptions many Australian investors have about markets, valuations, and risk.

With nearly 30 years of experience, Terry shares why protecting capital matters more than chasing returns, how emotional decision-making leads to poor outcomes, and why today's market conditions where some companies trade at 30–40× earnings require a more disciplined and cautious approach.

Australians reviewing their super.

Connect with Terry: Company: https://www.thefreedomtrader.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheFreedomTrader/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefreedomtrader/ More profit, less grind? Take the Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard: https://buildersfreedomreadiness.scoreapp.com/

This episode is a practical discussion on risk, mindset, and making smarter investment decisions, particularly when strong markets mask warning signs. It offers clarity for active investors and those seeking market understanding.