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/

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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

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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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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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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

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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

Your website should be your hardest-working employee … but for most tradies, it's just sitting there collecting dust.

In this episode of The Tradie Show, we’re joined by Ashleigh Atkinson, branding, website and SEO expert, and founder of The Climb Collaborative, who shares how to turn your online presence into a lead-generating machine.

 With her roots in marketing construction gear and trucks, Ashleigh knows how to speak tradie, and she brings the real talk about what actually works to win more jobs.

You’ll learn:

• Why most tradie websites fail (and how to fix yours fast)
• The 3 key elements that convert browsers into bookings: clarity, confidence, and proof
• SEO, AI and Google - simplified for real-world results
• How your customers are searching for you now (hint: it might not be Google)
• The role of real imagery and how to ditch the stock-photo look
• Smart ways to automate testimonial collection (without feeling awkward)
• Social media tips for tradies who don’t want to show their face 24/7
• How to show up online with more personality (and why it builds trust)
• Time-saving marketing hacks you can implement while on the tools

This one’s packed with no-BS advice that will change the way you think about your website, your brand, and your bottom line. 

Want to take action?

Join us LIVE at our 1-day live event 'Stress Free Tradie'.
In just one day, we'll show you how to triple your profits in 12 months (without working more hours).

 Reserve your seat now.

Follow us on socials:
📲 @LifestyleTradie
📘 Lifestyle Tradie

Do you ever finish the day thinking, “Why am I so bloody wrecked?”

 You didn’t even smash out a huge one on the tools, but your brain is fried. You’re snappy, forgetful, and reaching for a beer just to switch off.

 In this episode of The Tradie Show podcast, Andy and Angela unpack decision fatigue - a silent killer of tradie motivation - and how small inefficiencies throughout the day are draining your energy more than you realise.

 Plus, they reveal how Olympic athletes, CEOs, and trade business legends all rely on SYSTEMS to save time and stop wasting brain power on the small stuff.

Don’t miss:

✔ Why mental energy drains faster than you think

✔ “The System Quiz” (yes, Andy gets grilled)

✔ Easy routines you can steal for life and business

✔ Real-life systems that save time, cash, and headaches

🎁 BONUS: Grab the free SYSTEMS EBOOK with real examples from tradies who are back in control → https://www.lifestyletradie.com.au/systems-e-book/

Oh and here's Season 7, Episode 2 on Jim's Mowing business that Andy mentions in the ep: https://www.lifestyletradie.com.au/podcast/season-7/e2-from-humble-beginnings-to-franchise-king-jim-penman/

Want to find your motivation?

Join us LIVE at our 1-day live event 'Stress Free Tradie'.

In just one day, we'll show you how to triple your profits in 12 months (without working more hours).

Reserve your seat now.

Follow us on socials:

📲 @LifestyleTradie
📘 Lifestyle Tradie

Paul Wicks from Unique Project Group shares how he went from working insane hours and falling asleep at his desk to taking a month-long overseas holiday with zero stress, all while his team kept things ticking over.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in the grind and unsure what your role should look like as your trade business grows, this episode will seriously hit home.

💥 Inside this episode, Paul reveals:

1. How burnout forced him to hit pause and reassess what really mattered
2. The honest chat in a pool that made him set new life and business goals
3. Why letting go of real estate maintenance was a turning point
4. How he restructured his team to chase more profitable, long-term projects
5. What made a Christmas project return 50% gross profit 💰
6. His mindset shift around leadership, identity and purpose
7. How he’s already locked in $3.5 million of work for the new financial year
8. His honest thoughts on navigating business and family with his wife Naomi
9. Why having clear personal goals keeps him energised and out of “limbo land”

This is a candid, inspiring chat with plenty of tactical takeaways for any tradie thinking: “What’s next for me?”

Want to experience what’s possible for your trade business - just like Paul?

Come along to our Stress Free Tradie 1-Day Live Event and discover how to triple your profits in the next 12 months (without working longer hours or hiring more staff).

You'll walk away with a clear plan for profit, freedom, and control in your business.

Grab your ticket here.

Follow us on socials:

📸 Instagram: @LifestyleTradie

📘 Facebook: Lifestyle Tradie