The ToolShed Podcast

The trades industry is evolving, and empowering women is at the heart of that change. In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, I talk with Hacia Atherton leadership speaker, culture reformer, and founder of Empowered Women in Trades (EWIT) about how building an inclusive culture leads to stronger teams, safer worksites, and more profitable businesses.

Connect with Hacia Atherton:

Website: https://www.haciaatherton.com/

Company: https://ewitrades.com/

EWIT LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ewitrades/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haciaatherton/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hacia.atherton/ Stay tuned next week when we talk about it. So, don't forget to subscribe to the show to get that episode as soon it gets released. Until then, stay healthy. Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BpyECQQN3o4

Take the free 2-minute Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard: https://bit.ly/Builder-Freedom-Readiness-Scorecard

I sit down with Aaron Ng to pull back the curtain on the parts of the building we rarely say out loud silent margin leaks, "helpful" yeses that turn into scope creep, vague discovery that invites wrong-fit jobs, and the stress that starts long before the slab is poured.

▶ Rewatch: https://youtu.be/iVsYD3sCV_4 What you'll learn

– How one early "no" can save your week

– A discovery flow that filters wrong-fit jobs

– Variation rules & update cadence

– Practical ways to talk about price rises

– Why community beats isolation

Connect with Aaron Ng:

Website: https://thegoodbuilder.com.au/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegoodbuilderco

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodbuilder_au

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-ng-41609089/ Stay tuned next week when we talk about it. So, don't forget to subscribe to the show to get that episode as soon it gets released. Until then, stay healthy.

Take the free 2-minute Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard: https://bit.ly/Builder-Freedom-Readiness-Scorecard

Most builders don't fail because of their trade skills, they fail because their sales process is broken.

If you've ever wondered why clients ghost you, why quoting feels like wasted time, or why you keep discounting just to win jobs, this episode is a must-listen.

In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, I sit down with John Blake, a sales strategist who has helped builders grow from $3M to $16M by fixing one thing: their sales process. Connect with John Blake: Website: https://john-blake.com.au/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnBlakeSalesBreakthroughSolutions/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/john-blake-sales-breakthrough-solutions/

Twitter: https://x.com/John_blake

Stay tuned next week when we talk about it. So, don't forget to subscribe to the show to get that episode as soon it gets released. Until then, stay healthy. Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wyv8Rf_5uKk

Take the free 2-minute Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard: https://bit.ly/Builder-Freedom-Readiness-Scorecard

Most builders start their business chasing freedom—more time, more money, more control. But the reality? Many end up trapped in long hours, low margins, and constant stress.

In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, Mick Hawes sits down with Bruce Poling (The Joinery Coach) to unpack why so many builders fail, the fatal assumptions that keep them stuck, and the exact steps to escape the trap.

You'll learn:

– Why being great on the tools doesn't guarantee business success

– The hidden numbers you must measure to stay profitable

– How small, consistent improvements can create real freedom

If you've ever felt like your business owns you instead of the other way around, this episode will give you clarity, encouragement, and a roadmap forward.

Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jYFfogqn8_c

Take the free 2-minute Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard: https://bit.ly/Builder-Freedom-Readiness-Scorecard

Safety gear is supposed to protect us but for many women in construction, trades, and beyond, it's doing the opposite.

In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, Mick Hawes speaks with Amy Rooser, founder of The Safety Rack, about the widespread problem of ill-fitting PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and why it's putting women at risk every single day. You'll hear:

– Why most women lack properly fitting PPE

– Injury stories from loose vests, gloves, and boots

– How poor fit causes accidents and strain

– The wider impact across multiple industries

– What's being done to drive change

This episode is a wake-up call for builders, tradies, site managers, and anyone who cares about workplace safety, women in trades, and the future of the construction industry.

Resources:

– The Safety Rack → https://thesafetyrack.org

– Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard → https://bit.ly/Builder-Freedom-Readiness-Scorecard

Stay tuned next week when we talk about it. So, don't forget to subscribe to the show to get that episode as soon it gets released. Until then, stay healthy.

What happens when life throws you the kind of challenges that could break anyone—a relationship breakdown, depression, and a cancer diagnosis?

For Troy Ross, these moments became a turning point. In this raw and powerful conversation, Troy opens up about hitting rock bottom, the wake-up call that made him seek help, and how The Alchemy of Men retreat helped him rebuild his sense of purpose, identity, and inner strength. Take the free Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard. Identify what's slowing you down and get actionable insights: https://bit.ly/Builder-Freedom-Readiness-Scorecard If you're ready to take control of your financial future and stop relying solely on the next job for income, this episode is your blueprint.

Learn more about Alchemy of Men: https://alchemyofmen.com

Stay tuned next week when we talk about it. So, don't forget to subscribe to the show to get that episode as soon it gets released. Until then, stay healthy.

In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, Terry Tran, seasoned investor and founder of The Freedom Trader, shares a simple, low-risk system to help builders turn hard-earned profits into passive income. This is not about gambling on high-risk ventures. It's about protecting your profits, growing them steadily, and creating the lifestyle you started your business for.

We cover:

– Why most builders miss their best wealth-building opportunities

– How to protect and grow profits without risking it all

– A step-by-step approach to start investing with as little as an hour a week

Take the free Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard. Identify what's slowing you down and get actionable insights: https://bit.ly/Builder-Freedom-Readiness-Scorecard If you're ready to take control of your financial future and stop relying solely on the next job for income, this episode is your blueprint.

Connect with Terry Tran: Company: https://www.thefreedomtrader.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheFreedomTrader/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefreedomtrader/

Stay tuned next week when we talk about it. So, don't forget to subscribe to the show to get that episode as soon it gets released. Until then, stay healthy.

Are you a builder making good money but still feeling broke, stressed, and stuck?

In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, Tony Harrington returns for a powerful deep-dive into a silent business killer: financial stress. We explore how money pressure sabotages productivity, damages relationships, and keeps great builders trapped in survival mode.

Inside this episode:

– Why builders feel broke (even with good income)

– How financial stress kills productivity

– A simple shift to stop cash leaks

– Build a business that pays you—not traps you

Take the free Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard. Identify what's slowing you down and get actionable insights: https://bit.ly/Builder-Freedom-Readiness-Scorecard

Connect with Tony Harrington: Website: https://www.yourpropertyinvesting.com.au/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourpropertyinvesting.com.au Twitter: https://x.com/yourpropertyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/your-property-investing/

Stay tuned next week when we talk about it. So, don't forget to subscribe to the show to get that episode as soon it gets released. Until then, stay healthy.

We're excited to feature Stacey Combe on this week's episode of The ToolShed Podcast, where we unpack mindfulness and self-leadership in the construction industry.

Discover practical tools to reduce stress, improve focus, and finally gain control over the chaos. Whether you're managing a team, running your own building business, or simply trying to stay sane on-site this conversation will show you how to lead from within and build a business (and life) you're proud of. Take the free Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard. Identify what's slowing you down and get actionable insights: https://bit.ly/Builder-Freedom-Readiness-Scorecard

Connect with Stacey Combe: – Her Links: https://linktr.ee/staceycombe – Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staceycombementor/ – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-combe-mindfulness/

Stay tuned next week when we talk about it. So, don't forget to subscribe to the show to get that episode as soon it gets released. Until then, stay healthy.

Most builders start their business chasing freedom—more time, more money, more control. But for many, that freedom never comes. Instead, they end up stuck in stress, chaos, and low profit.

In this episode, Ron Nussbaum shares why builders get trapped in survival mode—and how to break the cycle. You'll learn how to reconnect with your 'why', fix the real problems, and finally build a business that frees you. Take the free Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard. Identify what's slowing you down and get actionable insights: https://bit.ly/Builder-Freedom-Readiness-Scorecard

Connect with Ron Nussbaum: Company: https://www.buildercoms.com/ Website: https://www.ron-nussbaum.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theronnussbaum/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ronwesley.nussbaum Twitter: https://x.com/Moneyronwesley

If you're working harder than ever but getting nowhere, this one's for you.

Stay tuned next week when we talk about it. So, don't forget to subscribe to the show to get that episode as soon it gets released. Until then, stay healthy.