Tradies In Business
Business & Economics Podcasts
Whether you're a plumber, electrician, builder, motor mechanic, landscaper, tiler, glazier, painter, carpenter, concretor or any of the myriad of trades and contractors that keep the world running, this podcast has been produced with you in mind. Your host, Nicole 'Nic' Cox, was born into a tradie family and has first-hand experience of the gut-busting, money stress and pressures that trade businesses can place on their owners and their families! Nic strongly believes in the opportunity that exists for all tradie business owners to create a flexible, financially secure business for now and for their families' future. She interviews guests on a range of topics such as marketing, finance, human resources, legal issues, mindset, motivation, physical and mental health, industry updates and more! Nic loves a laugh and a good story, so tune in for a unique look at how to 'get off the tools' and break the cycle of financial hardship and stress to create the trade business you really wanted!
Location:
United States
Description:
Whether you're a plumber, electrician, builder, motor mechanic, landscaper, tiler, glazier, painter, carpenter, concretor or any of the myriad of trades and contractors that keep the world running, this podcast has been produced with you in mind. Your host, Nicole 'Nic' Cox, was born into a tradie family and has first-hand experience of the gut-busting, money stress and pressures that trade businesses can place on their owners and their families! Nic strongly believes in the opportunity that exists for all tradie business owners to create a flexible, financially secure business for now and for their families' future. She interviews guests on a range of topics such as marketing, finance, human resources, legal issues, mindset, motivation, physical and mental health, industry updates and more! Nic loves a laugh and a good story, so tune in for a unique look at how to 'get off the tools' and break the cycle of financial hardship and stress to create the trade business you really wanted!
Language:
English
Episodes
TIB703 Real Tradie Stories with Daniel Smith from Dreamscapes Landscapes & Garden Solutions
2/9/2026
Feeling stuck on the business hamster wheel, working hard but never quite getting ahead is where Daniel from Dreamscapes Landscapes & Garden Solutions found himself before he took the leap, asked for help, and started seeing real change. Nic sits down with Daniel about his first 12 months in business, the early grind of taking any job to make payroll, learning pricing and systems the hard way, and moving from solo operator to confident leader. Daniel shares what finally pushed him to seek support, how vulnerability and community changed everything, and why building a business that supports your life (not consumes it) matters more than ever, with plenty of honest lessons for tradies at any stage of the journey.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Duration:00:33:54
TIB702 The Part of the Solar Industry Everyone Forgot About
1/26/2026
Solar installs get all the attention. But what happens after the panels go on the roof is where many trade businesses are quietly leaking opportunity. In this episode, Nic sits down with Daniel Lazarus from Industrias to unpack the overlooked role of solar maintenance and why it’s becoming one of the most stable, scalable business models in the industry. They talk about recurring revenue, labour-based growth challenges, white-label services, and how maintenance creates long-term client relationships instead of one-off transactions.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Duration:00:28:43
TIB701 Paperwork Isn’t Safety: Simple Systems That Keep Tradies Safe
1/12/2026
Paperwork alone does not keep people safe on site. Systems do. Nic sits down with Gareth Davies, Managing Director of SafeAssure, to break down what practical and effective safety really looks like in a trade business. They explore why so many safety documents fail once the work starts, and how to build simple systems that tradies actually understand and follow on site. Drawing on real world incidents and decades of industry experience, Gareth explains how the right safety foundations reduce risk, clarify expectations, and create consistency across teams and subcontractors. The focus stays on what genuinely keeps people safe and what protects a business when something goes wrong.
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Duration:00:39:28
TIB700 A Big Trip Down Memory Lane (Special Episode)
12/15/2025
In this special episode, Nic invites you for a stroll down memory lane, sharing how the TIB podcast began, the unexpected moments that shaped it, and the evolution from early guest chats to Real Tradie Stories, F#ck It Friday, and the daily TradieRonaCast episodes. It’s a warm and honest look at the journey and the community that has grown around it, wrapped up with a little nostalgia and a reason to stick around right to the end.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Duration:00:16:49
TIB699 Stop Working Through Christmas Again This Year
12/1/2025
When December starts piling on the pressure, most tradies slip straight into survival mode. Nic digs into why the lead-up to Christmas feels so chaotic for so many business owners and offers simple, real-world shifts you can make right now to steady your cashflow, set clearer boundaries, get your crew aligned, and protect your energy heading into shutdown. The goal is to help you finish the year feeling more in control and far less overwhelmed.
REGISTER HERE for the free workshop to turn chaos into control before Christmas.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Duration:00:11:13
TIB698 Man Unplugged - Why It’s So Hard to Be a Man in Today’s World
11/17/2025
What does it really mean to be a man today? Nic sits down with John Broadbent, author of Man Unplugged, to unpack the pressures, confusion, and disconnection many men face. From business collapse to personal rebuilding, John shares his own story and the lessons learned through men’s groups, rites of passage, and connection. This is an honest chat about self-worth, leadership, and legacy—and why understanding “men’s business” might just change the way you show up at work, at home, and in life.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Duration:00:42:37
TIB697 Unbecoming the Tradie You Thought You Had to Be
11/3/2025
Real change starts when you stop performing and start unbecoming. Nic sits down with Dr. Ash Moreland, neuroscientist and founder of the Re-MIND Institute, to unpack the hidden programming that keeps tradies stuck half on the tools and half in business. They explore identity, purpose, and the cost of hustle on marriages, kids, and mental health, then map a simple path forward: awareness, education, transformation. You’ll hear how to spot imposter syndrome, let go of control so you can delegate, and replace numb-out habits with healthy boundaries.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Duration:00:38:11
TIB696 Racing for a Cure: Snap-On Tools, Family, and the Fight Against Cancer
10/27/2025
Think running a race team is hectic? Try rebuilding a 10,000-horsepower engine between rounds while managing a plumbing crew back at work. In this episode, Nic chats with Adam Wright from Snap-On Tools and drag racer and business owner Phil Read. Together, they reveal how Snap-On’s national initiatives and Phil’s multi-generation racing legacy collide in the fast lane. From balancing business and burnout to supporting a greater cause, they share the story behind Snap-On’s partnership with the McGrath Foundation, and how pink tools, pit-side fundraising, and teamwork are helping fund vital cancer care nurses across Australia.
You can donate by buying pink Snap-On tools and merch from your local van or visiting the Snap-on Tools Fundraising page.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Duration:00:43:36
TIB695 Real Tradie Stories with Brendan Wyllie from Str8Edge Construction
10/20/2025
Think you need to grind 80-hour weeks to keep your business afloat? Nic chats with builder Brendan Wyllie from Str8Edge Construction about his leap from apprentice to business owner, and the mindset shift that took him off the tools and into true leadership. He shares honest lessons on tricky clients, the power of documenting everything, and why consistent quoting keeps work flowing. You’ll hear how coaching, systems, and trusting his “mini-me” tradie helped him build a reliable team, steady cash flow, and more time for family (and a few triathlon sessions).
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Duration:00:34:37
TIB694 Building Smarter Trade Businesses with AI (and a Few Hard Knocks)
10/6/2025
Rock bottom moments and honest conversations aren’t just character building, they are game changers. Nic is joined by her son Blake, whose journey from freezer warehouses to million-dollar eCommerce sales and back again shaped the lessons behind his current venture, Wispix AI. They chat about what happens when ego gets in the way, why community matters, and how tradies can use AI to streamline admin, automate calls, and boost profits. From turning site voice notes into job reports to building consistency in quoting, Blake shows how practical AI can be. You’ll hear how a “generalist plus AI specialist” combo protects profit and frees up family time.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Duration:00:49:50
TIB693 How Small Mistakes Can Destroy Your Business & How to Fix Them Today
9/22/2025
Rats in the office? That’s one thing. But running your trade business with the wrong structure? That could cost you everything. Nic is joined by Dan and Tim from the Two Drunk Accountants to talk about something every trade business owner needs to get right: your business structure. Whether you're a sole trader just starting out or you're eyeing off a company setup, they break down the pros, cons, and hidden traps you need to know. They also share their now-infamous “Ratgate” office saga, which turns out to be a perfect reminder of what happens when you ignore the warning signs.
You can also catch Dan & Tim in their podcast: Two Drunk Accountants Podcast
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Duration:00:45:39
TIB692 Stop Doing Everything! How to Go from Operator to Leader in Your Trade Business
9/8/2025
What if the thing holding your business back isn’t your team, but how you’re leading them? Mick Scotney, ex-sparky now CEO & Founder of Awakened Business, shares what it really takes to build a team that runs without you doing all the thinking. He unpacks how to step out of the daily grind and into true leadership, from letting go of control to building systems that support growth. Mick scaled his business from two to over eighty staff by focusing on people, culture and structure, creating a team that could thrive without him in every detail.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Duration:00:42:39
TIB691 Real Tradie Stories with Reece Gately from Wardrobe Refractories
8/25/2025
From chemistry labs to high-vis on-site, Reece’s path into the trades was anything but typical. Now running one of Australia’s most unique trade businesses, Wardrobe Refractories, he’s navigating emergency breakdowns, tight compliance, and the challenge of building trust with casual crews. With a clear focus on shifting from self-employed to true business owner, Reece shares how systems, structure, and mindset are helping him lead with more clarity and control.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Duration:00:41:24
TIB690 Real Tradie Stories with Tyson Blanch from My Mobile Mechanic
8/11/2025
When Tyson Blanch bought the business, he knew it had potential, but he didn’t expect it to grow so fast. In this episode, Nic and Tyson talk through the journey from solo tradie to team leader, building a thriving workshop with multiple staff and more freedom at home. Tyson reflects on the power of asking for help early, leading with vulnerability, and learning to step back so others can step up. It’s an honest look at what it really takes to grow a business that works for you, not the other way around.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Duration:00:36:35
TIB689 Why Small Business Owners Need Breathwork (and a Better Broker!)
7/28/2025
Finance broker Anthony Hopson from Urban Broker brings a unique perspective to money management, blending his background in banking with breathwork to help tradies shift how they think and feel about money. Nic chats with Anthony about why brokers can offer more flexible options for self-employed clients and how unspoken beliefs about money, often formed in childhood, can lead to stress, poor decisions or conflict. They talk about breathwork as a tool for emotional regulation, especially in business, and how grounding yourself can lead to clearer thinking, better lending outcomes and healthier money habits.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Duration:00:33:32
TIB688 The #1 Mindset Block Killing Tradie Success (And Why It Starts With You)
7/14/2025
What if the biggest thing holding your business back isn’t your pricing, team, or strategy.. but your mindset? Nic chats with mindset coach Di Russell about the real reason many tradies feel stuck even when they’re doing all the “right” things. Di shares her personal story of rebuilding after loss, running a multi-state business, and the lessons she’s learned about self-worth, identity, and success. This episode will challenge and encourage you to rethink what success actually looks like and how to build a trade business that brings more joy, not just stress.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Duration:00:45:36
TIB687 Real Tradie Stories with Miles Astley from Astley Electrical
6/30/2025
After four decades in the trade, Miles knows a thing or two about building a business that lasts. Nic chats with Miles about his journey from apprentice to owner of Astley Electrical, and the lessons learned along the way, from business partner breakups to leading a values-driven family team. They unpack the systems, culture, and mindset that make up “The Astley Way,” and why professionalism, respect, and continual learning matter just as much as technical skill. Whether you're stepping off the tools or planning for your legacy, this one’s full of real-world wisdom for every tradie in business.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Duration:00:37:35
TIB686 Secrets to Building a Business That Works with Your ADHD Brain
6/16/2025
If you’ve ever felt like your brain’s a chaotic mix of too many ideas, unfinished tasks, and caffeine-fueled energy bursts, you’re not broken. You might just be wired differently. And that can be a massive advantage. Skye Waterson from Unconventional Organisation knows this first hand. Diagnosed with ADHD while completing her PhD, she’s since helped business owners across the world turn that chaos into clarity with tools that actually work for neurodiverse brains. In this episode, you’ll learn how to spot the signs of ADHD (even without a diagnosis), why traditional advice often fails business owners with ADHD, and how to build focus, routines, and team systems that actually stick.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Duration:00:32:22
TIB685 Clicks, Conversions, and No-Fluff Marketing for Tradies
6/2/2025
Struggling to make sense of online marketing for your trade business? In this episode, Nic chats with Brandon Willington, from Where U, who breaks down his no-fluff approach to digital marketing using his 3Cs method—Clicks, Conversion, and Conversation. From setting up ads on Meta and Google to building landing pages that actually convert, Brandon shares practical tips for tradies who want real results without wasting cash. They also chat about CRMs, AI tools, and why you don’t need a big agency—or even your face on camera—to succeed online.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Duration:00:34:17
TIB683 She says, He says - There's a faction too much friction
3/24/2025
Nic and Waz sadly see too many couples who are disconnected, join them as they explore how this happens and share their tips on finding your way back
TWL038 re-run
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Duration:00:18:05