If you’ve ever said, “This year will be different”… only to blink and suddenly it’s February and nothing’s changed, this episode is for you.

In this episode of The Tradie Show, Andy and Angela break down the exact process smart tradies use to take control of their year before the year takes control of them. This isn’t about working harder. It’s about planning properly so you get more profit, more time and a hell of a lot less stress.

This episode introduces The Pre-loaded Year. A simple, practical way to plan your life first, then your business, so 2026 actually feels different.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why motivation fades fast and why structure beats willpower every time
• The difference between the unorganised tradie and the smart tradie
• How to plan your year life-first so work stops stealing your time
• The big rocks, pebbles and sand method to lock in what matters most
• How to choose the one business problem to fix each quarter
• How to identify slow months, busy months and red flag months
• Why most tradies panic in quiet periods and burn out in busy ones
• How preloading your calendar removes stress, guesswork and chaos
• The simple habits that create calm, control and consistency
• How written plans create better decisions, better teams and better lives

To make this simple, we’ve created a 3-page Pre-loaded Year template so you can follow along and fill in the blanks as you go.

👉 Download The Pre-loaded Year template now

If you’re sitting there thinking, “Yep… I need a proper plan to make this year different,” then this is your sign.

Come and join Andy and Angela at Stress Free Tradie, our one-day live event built specifically for trade business owners who are sick of the chaos and want clarity, control and confidence in their business.

You’ll walk away with a clear plan, practical tools you can actually use, and the confidence to make better decisions without second-guessing yourself.

👉 Check out the event details and secure your spot here: https://event.lifestyletradie.com.au/

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If you’re flat out, burnt out, and wondering why the money never seems to stick, this special bonus episode pulls back the curtain on what Lifestyle Tradie actually is and why it exists.

Andy and Angela share the raw story behind Dr. DRiP Plumbing. From rapid growth and big turnover to cash flow stress, chaos, and near collapse. You’ll hear how fixing the business properly saved not just the company, but their marriage and lifestyle too.

This episode isn’t hype. It’s a straight-talking look at what trade business owners are missing and how to build a business that gives you profit, time, and control.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why being great on the tools doesn’t automatically mean you’ll run a great business
• The hard lessons Andy and Angela learned scaling Dr. DRiP to 17 staff and 8 vehicles
• Why revenue means nothing if profit and cash flow aren’t under control
• How the four core pillars, platform, profit, marketing and people, make or break a trade business
• What actually happens when you join Lifestyle Tradie and where members see results first
• Why most tradies struggle alone and how community fast-tracks better decisions
• How shifting your mindset is often the first real step to changing your business and life

If you’ve ever said, “there’s got to be a better way”, this episode explains exactly what that looks like and how to get there without guessing or going broke trying.

Want Lifestyle Tradie to look at your business?
Book a free GamePlan call and we'll give you tailored advice ... and provide you with clarity and direction to smash out what you need to do right now to help you create the lifestyle and freedom you deserve.
Details here: https://www.lifestyletradie.com.au/gameplan-call

Follow Lifestyle Tradie:
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You can count every screw and metre of pipe, but what about your time?

In this episode of The Tradie Show, Andy and Angela expose the sneaky “Time Thieves” that silently drain profit from your trade business. From unplanned supplier runs to messy vans and missing systems, they break down where your hours really go... and how to get them back.

This episode is packed with practical, real-world strategies you can implement today to plug the leaks, take control of your time, and protect your margins.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The #1 reason busy tradies still aren’t making profit.
• How poor job communication kills productivity.
• Why “quick” supplier runs are costing you thousands.
• How a messy van can waste 5+ hours every week.
• The hidden cost of “time drift” (late starts, long breaks, slow pack-ups).
• Why having no systems means everything takes longer—and how to fix it.
• Proven time-saving habits Andy and Ange used at Dr. DRiP to boost profit.
• Simple tools and checklists to get your team working faster and smarter.

👉 Want Lifestyle Tradie to look at your business?

Book a free GamePlan call and we'll give you tailored advice ... and provide you with clarity and direction to smash out what you need to do right now to help you create the lifestyle and freedom you deserve.

Details here: https://www.lifestyletradie.com.au/gameplan-call

🎧 Listen to the episode all about vehicle inventory here:

👉 From Chaos to Cash: The Inventory Fix Every Tradie Needs

🔗 Connect with us:

1. Lifestyle Tradie on Instagram
2. Lifestyle Tradie on Facebook

You can be the best at your trade and still be flat-out broke. Sound familiar? 

In this episode of The Tradie Show, Andy and Angela Smith share the hard truths no one teaches tradies about running a business, the stuff that separates six-figure tradies from seven-figure business owners.

Drawing from The $1M+ Trade Business Playbook, Andy and Angela reveal the raw lessons they learned from growing (and nearly losing) their own plumbing business, Dr. DRiP. This is the wake-up call every tradie needs, because once you see the truth, you can finally start building the business and lifestyle you dreamed of.

What You’ll Learn:

✅ Why “being busy” can actually be a trap keeping you broke
✅ How to build profit into every job, and stop guessing your numbers
✅ The simple communication shifts that build trust (and win sales)
✅ How systems create freedom, so your business doesn’t depend on you
✅ Why your mindset sets the course for long-term success
✅ The ONE self-assessment every tradie should complete to find out where they’re really at

Your Next Step:

👉 Download The $1M+ Trade Business Playbook: 39 Business Secrets Every Aussie Tradie Needs to Know… But Wasn’t Taught.
Inside, you’ll get:

• 39 no-BS business truths every tradie needs to hear
• Practical tools for quoting, pricing, systems, and leadership
• A quick self-assessment to see where you’re really at
• A behind-the-scenes look at how Andy and Ange turned chaos into control

📥 Download it free here: https://www.lifestyletradie.com.au/trade-business-playbook/

Follow Lifestyle Tradie:

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The end of the year can be a circus for tradie business owners, from managing staff leave and holiday shutdowns to keeping your Christmas party fun (and drama-free). In this episode, Andy and Angela share their best tips to help you stay organised, profitable, and out of trouble through the silly season.

Whether it’s setting your shutdown dates, managing cash flow, or keeping the beers under control at your Christmas party, this episode will help you finish the year feeling calm - not cooked.

You’ll Learn How To:

• Handle staff leave the right way and avoid Fair Work headaches
• Set clear shutdown dates and communicate them early
• Manage December workload without burning out or killing your margins
• Keep your quoting, invoicing, and upselling sharp — even when you’re busy
• Plan a safe and fun Christmas party that won’t land you in hot water
• Protect your team, your reputation, and your sanity through the festive season

Want Lifestyle Tradie to look at your business?
Book a free GamePlan Call and we’ll give you tailored advice … and provide you with clarity and direction to smash out what you need to do right now to help you create the lifestyle and freedom you deserve.
👉 Details here

📲 Follow Lifestyle Tradie on Instagram

📘 Follow Lifestyle Tradie on Facebook

Every tradie wants a team full of rockstars, but most end up hiring in desperation.

In this episode of The Tradie Show Podcast, Andy and Angela dig into why hiring “whoever shows up” is the fastest way to fill your business with duds, and what you can do instead to attract A-grade tradies who actually want to work for you.

From defining your ideal employee to creating a culture that draws the best talent to your door (without even advertising), this episode gives you the blueprint for building a business that great people chase (not the other way around).

You’ll learn:

1. The number one mistake trade business owners make when hiring.
2. How to define your employee avatar (just like your customer avatar).
3. What top tradies actually value beyond the paycheck.
4. How to make your business aspirational, so great tradies seek YOU out.
5. The 7-step Rockstar Conversion Model to attract A-graders consistently.
6. Real success stories from Lifestyle Tradie members who are living it, no SEEK ads required.

Whether you’re a plumber, sparky, builder, landscaper etc, this episode is packed with proven, real-world strategies to help you build your dream team and stop hiring duds for good.

🎧 Don’t let another hiring horror creep into your business, listen now!

Want Lifestyle Tradie to look at your business?

Book a free GamePlan Call and we'll give you tailored advice to help you create the lifestyle and freedom you deserve. 👉 Book your GamePlan Call here

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📸 Lifestyle Tradie on Instagram

👍 Lifestyle Tradie on Facebook

What do baked bean dinners, month‑long holidays, and double‑digit profits have in common?
They’re all part of Matt and Sonia’s journey with MSJ Plumbing - from running themselves ragged with no systems or structure, to building a team and a business that hums without them.

In this episode, Andy and Angela sit down with Matt and Sonia to unpack how they turned chaos into control, built an incredible culture, and achieved true freedom.

You’ll learn:

• How to go from reactive chaos to a strategic, systemised business
• Why “knowing your numbers” was the turning point for profit and freedom
• The simple mindset shift that helped them charge what they’re worth
• How to build a strong culture based on communication, respect, and shared values
• Why systems aren’t “set and forget” and how to keep them evolving
• How to structure your business so you can step away without it falling apart
• The surprising impact of focusing on mental and physical wellbeing as a business owner

Want Lifestyle Tradie to look at your business?
Book a free GamePlan call with Andy and we’ll give you tailored advice, and provide you with clarity and direction to smash out what you need to do right now to help you create the lifestyle and freedom you deserve.
👉 Details here

Follow us on socials:
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📘 Facebook

Want more repeat customers and referrals without spending a fortune?

In this episode of The Tradie Show Podcast, Andy and Angela share a ridiculously simple marketing hack that costs as little as $5 but can bring in thousands over time: the Leave-Behind.

A Leave-Behind is a small, thoughtful gift you give customers at the end of a job. When done right, it makes you unforgettable, sparks conversations about your business, and keeps you top-of-mind for years.

You’ll learn:

1. What a Leave-Behind is (and why it works so well)
2. The 5 rules for choosing the perfect one for your trade business
3. How the law of reciprocity plays a role in winning repeat and referral work
4. Common mistakes tradies make that cheapen their brand
5. Why you must budget for it and how it becomes an operating expense

Whether you’re a plumber, sparkie, builder, landscaper, painter, or any other tradie, this is one small step that can have a massive impact on your bottom line.

Tune in for real-life examples, practical tips, and a strategy you can start using today to grow your business.

Want Lifestyle Tradie to look at your business? Book a free GamePlan call and we'll give you tailored advice ... and provide you with clarity and direction to smash out what you need to do right now to help you create the lifestyle and freedom you deserve.

📅 GamePlan Call

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📘 Facebook

Are you driving around with thousands of dollars tied up in unused materials? For most trade business owners, the answer is YES ... and it’s costing you big time.

In this episode of The Tradie Show, Andy and Angela reveal how messy vans, excess stock, and supplier runs are silently bleeding money out of your business, and what you can do about it TODAY.

You’ll learn:

1. 🚐 Why too little or too much stock both cause massive problems
2. 💸 The real cost of excess inventory - with the Dr. DRiP story that saved $24K
3. 🛠️ How to build a Standard Materials List (your top 100 items) to keep vans stocked for 5–7 days
4. ⏱️ Why constant supplier runs are draining your profit, and how to stop them
5. 🙌 The efficiency win: smoother jobs, faster team movement, and less chaos
6. 🤝 Why your supplier is a KEY financial partner in your business (and how to keep them onside)
7. ✅ Practical steps you can implement this week to save cash and reclaim control

Don’t let inventory chaos bleed your business dry. Take action now and set yourself up to save time, money, and stress.

👉 Want Lifestyle Tradie to look at your business? Book a free GamePlan call and we'll give you tailored advice ... and provide you with clarity and direction to smash out what you need to do right now to help you create the lifestyle and freedom you deserve.

Details here: https://www.lifestyletradie.com.au/gameplan-call

Follow Lifestyle Tradie here:

📲 Instagram: @LifestyleTradie

📘 Facebook: Lifestyle Tradie

If you’ve been hearing the buzz about ChatGPT but think it’s “just for tech geeks”, think again.

In this episode of The Tradie Show Podcast, Andy and Angela break down exactly how tradies (yes, even the tech-shy ones) can use ChatGPT to save hours every week, win more jobs, and finally get some of the boring crap off their plate.

We’ll cover:

1. What ChatGPT actually is (in plain tradie language).
2. The brand new GPT-5 upgrade, and why it’s a game-changer for your business.
3. Real examples of how tradies are using ChatGPT right now for quoting, emails, marketing, and more.
4. How to set it up in minutes without needing a tech degree.

Whether you’re an electrician, roofer, builder, plumber or landscaper, you’ll walk away from this episode knowing how to turn ChatGPT into your 24/7 apprentice, one that never takes a sick day, never whinges, and works for free.

Resources & Links:

1. Bonus: Download our free 'Tradie's Guide to AI & ChatGPT'
2. Book a free Game Plan Call with Andy: www.lifestyletradie.com.au/gameplan-call

Follow us on socials:

📲 @LifestyleTradie

📘 Lifestyle Tradie