The ToolShed Podcast

What does it take to go from working on the tools to building multiple businesses?

In this episode of The ToolShed, Tas Moulis shares his journey from house painter to business coach and founder of Tradiematepro. We unpack the mindset, systems, and leadership moves that helped him break free from the day-to-day grind—and how builders like you can do the same.

You'll learn:

• The turning point that changed everything for Tas

• How to stop running a business that runs you

• The essential systems to scale with less stress

• The mindset shift from survival to success

This is a must-listen for residential builders and tradies ready to lead, grow, and reclaim their time.

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 Tas Moulist:

– https://www.paintercoach.com/

– https://www.tradiematepro.com.au/

– https://qpaint.com.au/

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, Mick Hawes chats with Michael Stewart from Peak Synergy Mentoring to unpack the truth about leadership in building businesses.

Learn how to lead by example, build trust, and create a culture where your crew takes ownership—without burning yourself out.

– Why being "the boss" creates bottlenecks

– How to stop answering the same questions

– Building trust, culture, and accountability on site

– The leadership mindset that scales your business

If your team constantly relies on you, it's time to shift from micromanaging to real leadership.

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 Michael Stewart: Website: https://prestart.peaksynergymentoring.au/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572202569083 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peaksynergymentoring/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-stewart-92472776/

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 traditional bank loans silently draining your building business? In this episode, Mick Hawes is joined by finance strategist Martin Cattach to unpack the #1 loan mistake that keeps many Aussie builders broke—and what to do instead.

From understanding the difference between cashflow and liquidity, to discovering smarter funding options like trade finance, this episode will shift the way you think about money, growth, and risk in your business.

What You'll Learn:

– Why most builders misdiagnose their money problems

– How to fix the cash gap with flexible finance options

– The danger of using your home to fund your business

– The difference between good debt and bad debt

– Why responsive finance beats traditional bank loans

If you're a residential builder working hard but still struggling financially, this is the conversation you need to hear.

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 Martin Cattach: Website: https://finforbiz.com.au/about/ LinkedIn: https://tinyurl.com/Martin-Cattach

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.

Estimating is one of the most frustrating and time-consuming parts of running a building business\ and it's where many builders lose money without realising it.

In this episode, I sit down with Thomas Lawson from V2E to talk about how builders can take the pain out of quoting using 3D construction models, accurate takeoffs, and smart systems. If you're still stuck doing manual estimates or second-guessing your numbers, this episode will open your eyes to what's possible.

We dive into: – Why most builders hate estimating – How 3D estimating works – The real cost of quoting mistakes – How to win back your time – Why better estimates lead to better clients

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 Thomas: Website: https://www.v2e.com.au/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vision2estimating/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Vision2Estimating/

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.

Ever feel like your building business should be growing faster—but something invisible is holding it back?

In this episode, I'm joined by Andy Barker from OrgTree to uncover the cultural blind spots that quietly kill team performance and profit. This isn't about tools or quoting software it's about trust, communication, and creating a team that actually wants to help your business thrive.

You'll discover:

– Why team culture is a builder's real profit lever

– How 30 mins a week can transform your crew

– What purpose-driven teams do differently

– A case study: from $25M in losses to profitability

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 Andy: – orgtree.me – facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565096791220 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.

Whether you're a growing builder or just want more clarity and control, this one's worth a listen.

Still juggling spreadsheets, scattered apps, and endless WhatsApp messages to manage your building business?

In this episode, I sit down with Jordan and Alex from Loop Logics, a software solution built by builders, for builders to find out how they're helping Aussie builders streamline their operations, boost profit, and eliminate chaos.

We unpack:

– Why most builder software fails

– How Loop Logics scaled from garage to 200+ staff

– Lessons from elite sport that apply to building businesses

– Key features that make Loop different

– How to know if Loop is right for you

More profit, less grind? Take the 2-minute Builder Freedom Scorecard to see what's holding you back: https://bit.ly/Builder-Freedom-Readiness-Scorecard

To connect with Loop Logics, check all the links below:

– https://looplogics.com/

– https://www.facebook.com/looplogics

– https://www.instagram.com/loop.logics/

– https://www.youtube.com/@LoopLogics

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.

Whether you're a growing builder or just want more clarity and control, this one's worth a listen.

What happens when someone takes a chance on a week of work experience—and ends up becoming a powerful leader in the trades? In this episode of The ToolShed, Mick Hawes chats with Ashley Belteky, who shares her inspiring story of how an accidental entry into the world of diesel mechanics turned into a career rooted in purpose, leadership, and impact.

What You'll Learn:

– Why leadership is more than a title

– How to re-engage apprentices

– The link between self-awareness and team success

– Real tools for builders who want to lead better

More profit, less grind? Take the 2-minute Builder Freedom Scorecard to see what's holding you back: https://bit.ly/Builder-Freedom-Readiness-Scorecard

To connect with Ashley, check all the links below:

– Website: https://www.ashleybelteky.com/

– Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashley.belteky

– Facebook: https://www.ashleybelteky.com/podcast

– Podcast: https://www.facebook.com/tradieswholead

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.

Is your building site truly compliant—or just one accident away from disaster?

In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, I was joined by Nick Halley from HazardCo to uncover the truth about health and safety compliance on Australian worksites.

Discover how a simple system can help you:

– Avoid massive fines and site shutdowns

– Protect your team and your reputation

– Get expert health and safety advice without hiring in-house

Nick also shares how HazardCo is supporting residential builders with smarter systems and how AI could shape the future of site safety.

To connect with Nick Halley, check all the links below:

– Website: https://www.hazardco.com/au/

– Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_hazardco_/

– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HazardCo/

– Email: [email protected]

More profit, less grind? Take the 2-minute Builder Freedom Scorecard to see what's holding you back: 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.

Can you attract premium clients without an expensive office? Absolutely. In this ToolShed Podcast episode, Dan Bailey from Tradie HQ shares how tradies can create a professional image, build trust, and grow their business using shared spaces—without the heavy overheads.

What You'll Learn:

– Why client perception matters more than expensive fit-outs

– How community-based workspaces build better business

– Ways to create a professional image with limited resources

– The future of Tradie HQ and its expansion across Australia

To connect with Dan, check all the links below:

– https://tradiehqwa.com.au/

– https://www.facebook.com/tradiehqwa

– https://www.instagram.com/tradiehq.wa

– https://www.buzzsprout.com/265300

More profit, less grind? Take the 2-minute Builder Freedom Scorecard to see what's holding you back: 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.

Even experienced builders can lose big when they step into property development without the right strategy. In this episode, I sit down with Steve Chandler as we talk about the financial traps, mindset gaps, and planning mistakes that catch so many builders off guard. If you've ever thought about developing your own projects or scaling beyond construction, this is a must-listen.

– Why solid builders still fail in development

– Key mindset shifts from trade to strategy

– How to test a deal with feasibility studies

– The cost of wrong assumptions

– Developer risk vs. builder profit

– Asset protection 101

– Why who you work with matters

To connect with Steve, check all the links below:

Website: https://stevechandler.com.au/

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

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

Instagram: https://www.youtube.com/c/StevenChandler

Phone: 1300 2000 21

More profit, less grind? Take the 2-minute Builder Freedom Scorecard to see what's holding you back: 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.

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