How Shane Pinner of Tonkin grew a trade business from 7M to 25M+ by merging vision, leadership, and heart
In this compelling episode of TradesFormation Unlocked, Adrian Fadini sits down with Shane Pinner, co-founder of Tonkin, to unpack the incredible journey of merging two legacy trade businesses into a powerhouse of growth and leadership. Shane shares the real story behind Tonkin’s expansion from a local operation into a 25M+ enterprise, revealing the mindset, structure, and shared vision that fueled this transformation. From navigating partnerships to building internal leadership academies, Shane pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to create sustainable growth while staying rooted in community and values.
đź§ What You'll Learn
The critical factors for a successful business partnership
How Tonkin scaled from 7M to 25M in just five years
The value of shared vision and complimenting leadership styles
Why training and leadership development is essential in trades
How Tonkin redefined what a "trade business" can look like
Lessons from failed ventures and how they shaped future wins
The impact of data-driven decision making on profitability
Why you need to treat your business like a living, evolving entity
💬 Memorable Quotes"If you can't control the numbers in your business, then you're not in control of your life.""We’re not just a trade business. We’re a training organization disguised as one.""Knowledge without action is just knowledge — you’ve got to do something with it."We grew because we shared the vision, not the spotlight."
Trades business growth, partnerships in trades, Shane Pinner, Adrian Fadini, Tonkin Plumbing, leadership in trades, business systems, ServiceTitan, training culture, TradesFormation Unlocked, HVAC growth, trades leadership, profitability in trades