In this episode of the UpScale Business Coaching Podcast, Luke sits down with Ash and Jared from Profound Carpentry, a fast growing Perth based carpentry business, to break down what it really takes to turn things around when the numbers are not adding up.

Need help growing your business? 

• Follow us on IG for daily Content for your Trade Business  @upscalebusinesscoaching

• Book a free session with our Growth Specialist: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcast⁠

• Watch insights and tips on YouTube: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtube⁠

• Find out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: ⁠https://upscale-coaching.com/application-podcast

Hear from tradies who’ve done it, and learn what it really takes to grow a successful trade business. https://www.upscalecoaching.com.au/success-stories/

After starting strong and building a team quickly, the boys found themselves facing high overheads, unclear margins, and a significant ATO debt. Like many trade business owners, they were busy on the tools and bringing in work, but not fully across their numbers or profitability.

This episode dives into how they went from that pressure point to building a structured growth plan, gaining clarity on their financials, and making smarter hiring decisions. With the right strategy in place, they’ve grown from around 160k months to consistently hitting 250k months, all while improving profit and reducing debt.

Ash and Jared also share how focusing on team culture has completely changed their business. From weekly team breakfasts to monthly team days, they’ve created an environment where people want to stay, even in a competitive market like Perth where mining roles are always an option.

This is a real and relatable conversation for any trade business owner who feels busy but not in control, or who knows they should be making more but cannot see where it is going.

In this episode, you will learn:
• Why knowing your numbers is non negotiable in business
• How to build a plan to get out of debt and back into profit
• The impact of hiring the right team at the right time
• How culture can improve retention, performance, and growth
• Why accountability is key when running a trade business

This year, the UpScale team are also taking on the Gold Coast Marathon to raise funds for TIACS, supporting mental health for tradies. You can support the cause here: https://fundraise.tiacs.org/fundraisers/upscalegoldcoastmarathon2026

Follow Mitch: https://www.instagram.com/mitchvan_/
Follow Erina: https://www.instagram.com/erinaroxx/

In this episode of the UpScale Business Podcast, Tom and Mitch dive into what really happens when uncertainty hits the market and how trade business owners can respond the right way.

Need help growing your business? 

• Follow us on IG for daily Content for your Trade Business  @upscalebusinesscoaching

• Book a free session with our Growth Specialist: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcast⁠

• Watch insights and tips on YouTube: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtube⁠

• Find out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: ⁠https://upscale-coaching.com/application-podcast

Hear from tradies who’ve done it, and learn what it really takes to grow a successful trade business. https://www.upscalecoaching.com.au/success-stories/

With everything going on in the world right now, a lot of tradies are feeling the pressure. Rising costs, shifting demand, and constant noise in the media can make it feel like things are out of control. But as Mitch explains, there are always two types of business owners in times like this. Those who pull back and those who step up.

Drawing on real experiences from the COVID period, the boys break down how some trade businesses not only survived but grew faster than ever. They talk about what separated those who struggled from those who took advantage of the opportunity.

You’ll hear practical insights on increasing lead generation when sales slow down, adjusting pricing without losing confidence, understanding your numbers, and why controlling what you can control is the key to long term success.

If you’re a tradie who feels stuck, unsure, or under pressure, this episode will help you reset your mindset and focus on what actually moves the needle in your business.

This is a real conversation about what it takes to build a resilient trade business when things get tough.

Also this year, the UpScale team are lacing up for the Gold Coast Marathon to raise funds for TIACS, supporting mental health for tradies and blue collar workers. You can support the cause here
https://fundraise.tiacs.org/fundraisers/upscalegoldcoastmarathon2026

Follow Mitch for more insights
https://www.instagram.com/mitchvan_/

Follow Erina here
https://www.instagram.com/erinaroxx/

If you’re ready to take control of your business and grow through any market conditions, this one is for you.

Pricing is one of the biggest challenges for trade business owners. Many tradies want to reward their team and create incentives through commissions, but the big question is how to do it without cutting into your profit.

Need help growing your business? 

• Follow us on IG for daily Content for your Trade Business  @upscalebusinesscoaching

• Book a free session with our Growth Specialist: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcast⁠

• Watch insights and tips on YouTube: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtube⁠

• Find out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: ⁠https://upscale-coaching.com/application-podcast

Hear from tradies who’ve done it, and learn what it really takes to grow a successful trade business. https://www.upscalecoaching.com.au/success-stories/

In this episode, our accountant coaches Larry and Lucy dive into the topic of pricing and explain how commissions can work in a trade business without stuffing your margins. They break down the financial thinking behind pricing, how to structure commissions properly, and why many businesses get this wrong.

Larry and Lucy also talk about the common mistakes tradies make when setting prices and why understanding your numbers is essential if you want to grow a profitable business. If you want to motivate your team, win more work, and still protect your margins, this conversation will help you understand how to structure things the right way.

This episode is packed with practical insights for trade business owners who want to run a more profitable business while creating incentives that actually work.

In this episode, Mitch jumps straight into a raw conversation after finishing a coaching session with a tradie business owner who said something we hear all the time: “I just need more work.”

But is that really the problem?

Need help growing your business? 

• Follow us on IG for daily Content for your Trade Business  @upscalebusinesscoaching

• Book a free session with our Growth Specialist: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcast⁠

• Watch insights and tips on YouTube: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtube⁠

• Find out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: ⁠https://upscale-coaching.com/application-podcast

Hear from tradies who’ve done it, and learn what it really takes to grow a successful trade business. https://www.upscalecoaching.com.au/success-stories/

Mitch shares his honest thoughts on why chasing more jobs is often only one side of the story. Many trade businesses believe that more leads will fix everything, but the real challenges usually sit deeper in the business. From pricing and systems to capacity and decision making, there are a few things that need attention before simply adding more work to the pipeline.

This episode is a bit of a rant and a reality check for tradies who feel stuck or overwhelmed in their business. If you’ve ever felt like you need more jobs coming in, this conversation will help you look at the bigger picture and understand what might actually be holding your business back.

You’ll hear Mitch talk about the patterns he sees during coaching sessions with trade business owners and why focusing on the right problems can make a massive difference to your growth.

If you run a trade business and feel like you’re constantly chasing the next job, this episode will give you a new perspective on what to focus on next.

Follow the hosts
Mitch: https://www.instagram.com/mitchvan_/
Erina: https://www.instagram.com/erinaroxx/

In this episode, our Accounting Coach Kaz sits down with UpScale clients Mitch and Brydee from ⁠Bacchus Marsh Plumbing to talk about the reality of running a family plumbing business.

Need help growing your business? 

• Follow us on IG for daily Content for your Trade Business  @upscalebusinesscoaching

• Book a free session with our Growth Specialist: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcast⁠

• Watch insights and tips on YouTube: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtube⁠

• Find out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: ⁠https://upscale-coaching.com/application-podcast

Hear from tradies who’ve done it, and learn what it really takes to grow a successful trade business. https://www.upscalecoaching.com.au/success-stories/

Like many trade business owners, Mitch found himself overwhelmed by the constant demands of the business, while Brydee felt the impact of the long hours and the strain it placed on family life. Together, they share their journey of taking over the family business, the challenges they faced, and the turning point that helped them regain control.

A key shift came when they started understanding their business numbers and received coaching support to improve how they managed the business. With clearer financial insights, better systems, and stronger leadership within their team, Mitch and Brydee were able to reduce stress, delegate more effectively, and create a healthier balance between business and family life.

If you're a trade business owner feeling stretched by the pressures of running your business, this episode shares practical insights and a relatable story of what can change when you gain clarity and support.

Running a trade business comes with pressure, responsibility, and big decisions every day. But according to Dave and Geggs, one thing holds back the majority of business owners more than anything else: fear.

Download our Free Tradie Pricing Calculator:

https://upscale-coaching.com/pricing-calc-podcast-v1

Need help growing your business? 

• Follow us on IG for daily Content for your Trade Business  @upscalebusinesscoaching

• Book a free session with our Growth Specialist: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcast⁠

• Watch insights and tips on YouTube: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtube⁠

• Find out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: ⁠https://upscale-coaching.com/application-podcast

Hear from tradies who’ve done it, and learn what it really takes to grow a successful trade business. https://www.upscalecoaching.com.au/success-stories/

Running a trade business comes with pressure, responsibility, and big decisions every day. But according to Dave and Geggs, one thing holds back the majority of business owners more than anything else: fear.

In this episode, Dave (coach) and Geggs (Head of Sales) dive into the real conversations they’re having every day with trade business owners at all stages of their journey. From new business owners trying to get off the ground to established operators looking to scale, they see the same patterns again and again.

They break down why so many business owners hesitate to take the next step, the common fears that stop people from growing their business, and how those fears quietly affect decisions around hiring, pricing, marketing, and leadership.

More importantly, they share practical ways trade business owners can move past those mental roadblocks and start making decisions with confidence. If you’ve ever felt stuck, second-guessed a big decision, or held back from pushing your business further, this conversation will hit close to home.

This episode is packed with honest insights from the front lines of the trade industry and offers a fresh perspective on what it actually takes to grow a successful trade business.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why many trade business owners hesitate when growth opportunities appear

• The most common fears holding business owners back

• How mindset affects hiring, leadership, and scaling a business

• Practical ways to move forward even when uncertainty is high

If you're a plumber, electrician, builder, landscaper, or trade business owner looking to grow your business and lead with more confidence, this episode is for you.

How much does it actually cost you to win a new client in your trade business?

In this episode of the UpScale Business Podcast, Mitch and Erina break down one of the most overlooked numbers in the trade and construction industry, your cost to acquire a client and how it compares to your customer lifetime value.

Follow Mitch and Erina for more insights

Erina https://www.instagram.com/erinaroxx/

Mitch https://www.instagram.com/mitchvan_/

Need help growing your business? 

• Follow us on IG for daily Content for your Trade Business  @upscalebusinesscoaching

• Book a free session with our Growth Specialist: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcast⁠

• Watch insights and tips on YouTube: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtube⁠

• Find out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: ⁠https://upscale-coaching.com/application-podcast

Hear from tradies who’ve done it, and learn what it really takes to grow a successful trade business. https://www.upscalecoaching.com.au/success-stories/

Most tradies rely on word of mouth, referrals, or the occasional Google ad without ever tracking what it truly costs to bring a job through the door. The result? Missed opportunities, underpriced marketing, and slow growth.

Mitch and Erina explain how to calculate your real acquisition cost, including ad spend, your time, cold calls, and marketing efforts. They also unpack why understanding this number can completely change how you approach growth, hiring staff, and scaling your business.

In this episode you will learn

• How to calculate your cost to acquire a client in your trade business
• Why many construction businesses are spending far less than they could to grow
• The difference between cost to acquire a client and customer lifetime value
• How Google reviews, referrals, and repeat work increase profitability
• How to use simple maths to confidently invest in marketing

If you have ever said ads do not work, or felt unsure about spending money on marketing, this episode will give you clarity. When you understand your numbers, growth becomes predictable.

This conversation is especially relevant for builders, electricians, plumbers, landscapers and service based trade business owners who want to scale without guessing.

Mitch and Erina flew to the US for less than 36 hours to spend time inside Hormozi’s team environment and what they experienced in that short window challenged the way they think about leadership, standards and team culture.

Follow Mitch and Erina for more insights

Erina ⁠https://www.instagram.com/erinaroxx/⁠

Mitch⁠ https://www.instagram.com/mitchvan_/⁠

Need help growing your business? 

• Follow us on IG for daily Content for your Trade Business  @upscalebusinesscoaching

• Book a free session with our Growth Specialist: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcast⁠

• Watch insights and tips on YouTube: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtube⁠

• Find out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: ⁠https://upscale-coaching.com/application-podcast

Hear from tradies who’ve done it, and learn what it really takes to grow a successful trade business. https://www.upscalecoaching.com.au/success-stories/

This episode is not about a workshop. It is about what happens behind the scenes inside high performance teams and what trade business owners can learn from it.

They break down the biggest insight they brought home and how it applies directly to builders, electricians, plumbers, landscapers and trade business owners who want sustainable growth.

We are talking about team culture, leadership, accountability and what it really takes to build a trade business that runs smoothly without everything depending on you.

If you have ever felt stuck managing staff, frustrated with performance or unsure how to create a stronger team culture, this conversation will give you practical strategies you can implement straight away.

In this episode you will learn

• Why team culture directly impacts profit and growth
• What high performing teams expect as the standard
• How to create clarity, ownership and buy in within your team
• The leadership shift required to scale your trade business

These are real world lessons observed firsthand inside a fast growing business, translated for everyday trade business owners who want to build a profitable and scalable company.

When was the last time you actually reviewed your pricing?

Download for Free - Our Tradie Pricing Calculator: ⁠https://upscale-coaching.com/pricing-calc-podcast-v1

In this episode of the UpScale Business Podcast, Mitch sits down with Lucy from our accounting team to talk about inflation, rising costs, and how trade business owners can price with confidence.

Need help growing your business? 

• Follow us on IG for daily Content for your Trade Business  @upscalebusinesscoaching

• Book a free session with our Growth Specialist: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcast⁠

• Watch insights and tips on YouTube: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtube⁠

• Find out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: ⁠https://upscale-coaching.com/application-podcast

Hear from tradies who’ve done it, and learn what it really takes to grow a successful trade business. https://www.upscalecoaching.com.au/success-stories/

Connect with the hosts on Instagram

⁠@erinaroxx

⁠⁠@mitchvan_⁠

Material costs are creeping up. Wages are increasing. Overheads are climbing. And for many tradies, pricing still feels like a guess instead of a clear, calculated number.

This episode breaks down why pricing should never be based on emotion. It should be based on maths.

You will learn
• How to calculate your true hourly break even rate
• Why most tradies are undercharging without realising it
• How to factor in overheads, non billable time, and staff efficiency
• The real cost of discounting your price by 10 percent
• Why confidence in pricing starts with knowing your numbers
• How inflation silently eats into your profit margins

Mitch walks through simple pricing maths that any electrical, plumbing, building, or trade business owner can apply immediately. The team also talks about the mindset side of raising your rates, why the fear usually comes from inside the business, and what actually happens when you increase your prices properly.

If you have ever avoided reviewing your hourly rate, felt awkward putting prices up, or worried about losing work, this episode will give you clarity and practical steps to fix it.

If you’re flat out on the tools, cash is tight, builders are paying late, and you’re wondering if your trade business is actually worth the stress, this episode is for you.

Greg is a Melbourne sparky who went from grinding for 65k to 70k months and feeling cooked, to building a team of eight and pushing toward 160k months with systems that hold up even when he steps back.

Need help growing your business? 

• Follow us on IG for daily Content for your Trade Business  @upscalebusinesscoaching

• Book a free session with our Growth Specialist: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcast⁠

• Watch insights and tips on YouTube: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtube⁠

• Find out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: ⁠https://upscale-coaching.com/application-podcast

Hear from tradies who’ve done it, and learn what it really takes to grow a successful trade business. https://www.upscalecoaching.com.au/success-stories/

Just the real stuff that changed everything: fixing pricing, chasing invoices properly, cutting off slow payers, and putting lead generation on the calendar so it actually happens.

We talk about what it’s like when you’re doing everything yourself, why scripts can make sales calls harder, and how Greg built confidence in his rates by understanding his numbers. He also shares how tracking conversions and job margins helped him double down on the right clients, walk away from the wrong ones, and stop discounting just to win work.

You’ll hear practical lessons on hiring for culture, delegating without losing control, building a crew that performs, and shifting your mindset so problems don’t feel world ending. If you want a trade business that runs smoother, pays you properly, and keeps growing without burning you out, you’ll get a lot from this one.