The Profitable Tradie Podcast

Afleveringen

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  He Thought He Was Having a Stroke, It Was His Business | Steve Vega Ep. 237 05.08.2026 49min

  What happens when a successful trades business owner pushes so hard that his own business nearly destroys his health? In this episode of the Profitable Tradie Podcast, Steve Vega shares how 63-hour work weeks, chronic underpricing, and poor systems left him burned out before transforming his plumbing business into a $1M+ company. If you're a plumbing, HVAC, electrical, roofing, or home service business owner looking to increase profit, improve pricing, build better systems, and scale without sacrificing your life, this episode is packed with real-world lessons.⏱ CHAPTERS00:00:00 | Introduction00:01:01 | 1. Stress & Burnout: Fighting severe physical stress and 63-hour shifts00:07:38 | 2. Operations Shift: Moving from a chaotic operator to structured teams00:15:47 | 3. Underpricing Traps: Overcoming guilt and mindset traps around money00:24:22 | 4. Back-Costing: Using pricing targets and reviews to plug profit leaks00:32:15 | 5. Culture & Time: Scaling with team 1-on-1s, time audits, and calendars🔗 FREE RESOURCESGet our free book — The Profitable Tradie: profitabletradie.com/bookBook a free strategy call: profitabletradie.com/contact📲 WORK WITH USIf you're a trade business owner ready to build a more profitable,better-run business, we work with plumbers, electricians, HVAC techs,roofers, and similar contractors across Australia, New Zealand,the US, and Canada.Find out more: profitabletradie.com🎙 ABOUT THE PROFITABLE TRADIE PODCAST & CHANNELProfitable Tradie helps trade business owners build businessesthat make real money and don't depend on them to run.Hosted by Tony Fraser-Jones & Phil Smith.📱 FOLLOW USInstagram: @profitabletradieTikTok: @profitabletradieFacebook: Profitable TradiePodcast: Search "The Profitable Tradie Podcast" on Apple or Spotify#TradesBusiness #ContractorLife #BusinessCoaching #tradesman #bluecollar #tradesmen #plumbing #hvac #electrical #electrician #unitedstates #usa #northamerica #australia #canada #newzealand
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  How To Be Firm, Not Nice (Quit being a pushover) 29.07.2026 26min

  You’re hard working...You’re dedicated...And you care a lot...All great qualities in a trades business owner.But there's one trait – which is super common – that could quietly cost you thousands, create team problems, and leave you burnt out.WHAT YOU’LL GAIN FROM LISTENING TO TODAY’S PODCAST:The surprising habit that's quietly draining your profit (most owners never spot it)Why trying to keep everyone happy is costing you the one thing that actually grows a businessThe simple shift that lets you stay kind and respected... while making a lot more moneyLINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Claim a Free Planning Session to learn what coaching could do for your businessSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelGet a copy of the Profitable Tradie bookThanks for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to The Profitable Tradie Podcast? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us and leave us a review with a 5-star rating
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  7 Numbers Every Profitable Business Owner Needs to Track 22.07.2026 23min

  You know how much money came into the bank last month...But do you know how many leads you got?Your conversion rate?Or how much you’re still waiting to be paid?Most trades business owners have no idea.They’re not tracking much.But the owners killing it out there are tracking 7 key numbers.WHAT YOU’LL GAIN FROM LISTENING TO TODAY’S PODCAST:The 7 numbers that tell you if your business is actually making moneyHow to make better business decisions using facts instead of gut feelThe simple scorecard which tells you what to focus on nextLINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Claim a Free Planning Session to learn what coaching could do for your businessSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelGet a copy of the Profitable Tradie bookThanks for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to The Profitable Tradie Podcast? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us and leave us a review with a 5-star rating.
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  Top 10 Uses for AI in your Trades Business(Plumbing, HVAC, Electrical, or Similar) 15.07.2026 26min

  “What’s one cool thing you’re using AI for?”I asked 1,200 trades business owners that question...A few of the answers genuinely caught me off guard.WHAT YOU’LL GAIN FROM LISTENING TO TODAY’S PODCAST:How to create dashboards that track your most important business numbers automaticallyHow trades business owners are creating custom software and apps without knowing how to codeHow to get AI to analyze your numbers and spot problems before they become expensive mistakesLINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Claim a Free Planning Session to learn what coaching could do for your businessSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelGet a copy of the Profitable Tradie bookThanks for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to The Profitable Tradie Podcast? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us and leave us a review with a 5-star rating.
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  From Bankrupt to Making $750k Per Month (ft. James Martell) | Ep. 233 08.07.2026 54min

  Three contractors went bust in the same year.James Martell lost a heap of work overnight,He was also left with a pile of unpaid invoices...With no way of getting that money back.The cash flow crisis got so bad it eventually pushed him into bankruptcy too.Most trades business owners would've thrown in the towel.But James didn't.Today, he’s got 60 staff, does over $7M a year in revenue, and is on track to hit $10M this year.This is his story...WHAT YOU’LL GAIN FROM LISTENING TO TODAY’S PODCAST:Brutal lessons learned from taking on the wrong customersThe financial number every trades business owner should be watchingHow to shift from being “the technician” to actually leading like a CEOLINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Claim a Free Planning Session to learn what coaching could do for your businessSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelGet a copy of the Profitable Tradie bookThanks for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to The Profitable Tradie Podcast? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us and leave us a review with a 5-star rating.
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  How To Use Your Numbers To Grow Your Business 01.07.2026 31min

  Think your trades business is doing well just because you feel busy? Think again.On today’s episode, we break down the dangerous trap of running your business on emotions rather than hard facts. We reveal why mistaking baseline activity for actual progress is a fast track to stress and explain how consistently tracking your financial numbers is the ultimate key to unlocking predictable growth and massive profitability.WHAT YOU’LL GAIN FROM LISTENING TO TODAY’S PODCAST:The Danger of "Feeling" Profitable: Why relying on gut feelings instead of real data leaves your business flying blind.The Core Numbers You Must Measure: A breakdown of revenue, gross profit, net profit, and why profit per job (back-costing) changes everything.Consistency Beats Intensity: Why managing your numbers bit-by-bit every single day is easier—and far more effective—than playing catch-up once a quarter.Overcoming the Fear of the Figures: How to push past overwhelm, avoid the "abdication trap" with your accountant, and take true ownership of your financial destiny.LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Claim a Free Planning Session to learn what coaching could do for your businessSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelGet a copy of the Profitable Tradie bookThanks for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to The Profitable Tradie Podcast? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us and leave us a review with a 5-star rating.
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  How to Double Your Conversion Rate on Jobs 24.06.2026 25min

  The fastest way to win more jobs has nothing to do with more leads, better marketing, or having the lowest prices.It's much simpler.WHAT YOU’LL GAIN FROM LISTENING TO TODAY’S PODCAST:Find out:The reason customers choose slower, less qualified competitors over youWhy being first matters more than having the cheapest priceThe simple habit that helps some trades businesses win twice as many jobsLINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Claim a Free Planning Session to learn what coaching could do for your businessSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelGet a copy of the Profitable Tradie bookThanks for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to The Profitable Tradie Podcast? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us and leave us a review with a 5-star rating.
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  The Secret to a High Performing Team 17.06.2026 29min

  If you want a simple system that:Keeps your guys switched on and working hardStops small problems blowing up into big onesGets your team finishing what they start, taking pride in their work, and sticking around long-termI recorded this episode to get your team working like rock-stars!WHAT YOU’LL GAIN FROM LISTENING TO TODAY’S PODCAST:Maximize team performanceStop small problems blowing up into big onesKeep your workers accountable, motivated, and loyalLINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Claim a Free Planning Session to learn what coaching could do for your businessSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelGet a copy of the Profitable Tradie bookThanks for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to The Profitable Tradie Podcast? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us and leave us a review with a 5-star rating.
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  The 4 Types of Jobs That Are Killing Your Profitability 10.06.2026 26min

  There are 4 types of jobs successful trades businesses avoid like the plague.They’re happy to let everyone else take them.Along with the stress, chaos, and weak margins.WHAT YOU’LL GAIN FROM LISTENING TO TODAY’S PODCAST:The 4 types of jobs quietly killing your profitWhy “busy” work is keeping you brokeHow profitable trades businesses decide which jobs to say no toLINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Claim a Free Planning Session to learn what coaching could do for your businessSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelGet a copy of the Profitable Tradie bookThanks for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to The Profitable Tradie Podcast? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us and leave us a review with a 5-star rating.
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  Contractor Doubles His Business While Working Less (here's his secret) 03.06.2026 32min

  Nathan would cry in his truck every day.The stress of running his business was just too much.He was stuck on the tools, chasing work...Wrangling staff, stressing over cash flow...And struggling to keep everything together at home.Now?He’s gone from $30K-$45K a month to $80K-$100K a month.His team’s grown from 4 guys to 10.And he finally has time to be there for his wife and kids.WHAT YOU’LL GAIN FROM LISTENING TO TODAY’S PODCAST:How Nathan doubled his revenue while getting off the toolsThe simple cash flow change that helped him get paid fasterThe mindset shift that stopped him from drowning in stress and firefightingLINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Claim a Free Planning Session to learn what coaching could do for your businessSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelGet a copy of the Profitable Tradie bookThanks for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to The Profitable Tradie Podcast? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us and leave us a review with a 5-star rating.
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  How To Hire A+ Workers In 2026 27.05.2026 27min

  If you want to hire good workers... But the best ones are already taken…If your job listings are online... But only attract timewasters and no-shows...If you know your business could be doing better... But your current team’s holding it back…Listen to this.WHAT YOU’LL GAIN FROM LISTENING TO TODAY’S PODCAST:The biggest hiring mistake that keeps you stuck with average workersThe real reason your best people leave… and how to stop itThe simple shift that turns hiring from stressful… to predictableLINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Claim a Free Planning Session to learn what coaching could do for your businessSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelGet a copy of the Profitable Tradie bookThanks for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to The Profitable Tradie Podcast? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us and leave us a review with a 5-star rating.
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  The Secret Behind Every Successful Business 20.05.2026 25min

  Did you know 70% of your business success comes down to one thing...It’s not better marketing...Or better systems...It’s definitely not working harder.But if you get it wrong…You stay the bottleneck...You carry the load...LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Claim a Free Planning Session to learn what coaching could do for your businessSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelGet a copy of the Profitable Tradie bookThanks for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to The Profitable Tradie Podcast? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us and leave us a review with a 5-star rating.
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  Give Me 21 Minutes And I'll Fix Your Cashflow 13.05.2026 21min

  The best way to solve cash flow problems is to get more work and make more revenue.True or false?WHAT YOU’LL GAIN FROM LISTENING TO TODAY’S PODCAST:Get paid faster (without the awkwardness)Control money in vs money out (quit guessing, quit stressing)Stop customers quietly using you as a bankLINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Claim a Free Planning Session to learn what coaching could do for your businessSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelGet a copy of the Profitable Tradie bookThanks for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to The Profitable Tradie Podcast? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us and leave us a review with a 5-star rating.
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  How To Lead Your Team During A Global Conflict 06.05.2026 19min

  The war in Iran isn't ending any time soon.You already know what that means... rising costs and tighter margins.But what about your team?Their commute costs more, they're stretched at the grocery checkout and dealing with the same uncertainties as you.Left unchecked, this shows up in your trades business as more mistakes, less productivity, and constant pay-raise requests.WHAT YOU’LL GAIN FROM LISTENING TO TODAY’S PODCAST:How to reassure your staff without pretending everything is perfectThe best style of communication during stressful timesHow to talk about the future when things feel unstableWhat business owners need to do to look after themselves while also looking after othersLINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Claim a Free Planning Session to learn what coaching could do for your businessSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelGet a copy of the Profitable Tradie bookThanks for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to The Profitable Tradie Podcast? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us and leave us a review with a 5-star rating.
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  How To Handle Pay Discussions With Your Team 29.04.2026 26min

  Oh crap.One of your best workers wants a pay rise.Your head starts spinning.Can I afford it?Do they actually deserve it?If I say yes, will everyone else want one too?If I say no, will my best worker leave?Pay discussions can be awkward, stressful... and expensive.But handled the right way, they can build loyalty, improve performance, and even make your business more profitable.WHAT YOU’LL GAIN FROM LISTENING TO TODAY’S PODCAST:How a worker’s pay rise can make you more profitPay discussion mistakes you should avoid at all costsHow to handle pay discussions without overpaying or losing your best peopleLINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Claim a Free Planning Session to learn what coaching could do for your businessSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelGet a copy of the Profitable Tradie bookThanks for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to The Profitable Tradie Podcast? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us and leave us a review with a 5-star rating.
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  Don't Cut Your Overheads (Do This Instead) 22.04.2026 26min

  If you’re trying to keep overheads down...Focus on where the money’s really going...Or because the accountant told you to...You might be making the most expensive mistake in your business.To find out how overheads can actually help you make killer profits...WHAT YOU’LL GAIN FROM LISTENING TO TODAY’S PODCAST:Why trying to run the cheapest possible business might actually be keeping you stuckThe hidden reason trades businesses hit a glass ceiling and can’t growHow the right overheads can unlock more profit, time, and freedomLINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Claim a Free Planning Session to learn what coaching could do for your businessSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelGet a copy of the Profitable Tradie bookThanks for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to The Profitable Tradie Podcast? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us and leave us a review with a 5-star rating.
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  How The Iran War Affects Your Business (And What To Do About It) 15.04.2026 32min

  The war in Iran is screwing everything right now…Including your trades business.Fuel prices are skyrocketing.Material costs are rising.And your margins are getting eaten up.At the same time…Customers are tightening their wallets.Cash flow gets tighter.Workflow goes patchy.You've already felt it...And it’s about to hit even harder.WHAT YOU’LL GAIN FROM LISTENING TO TODAY’S PODCAST:How to protect your margins when costs are rising fastWhat to do if you’ve already got work booked at old pricesThe types of jobs you should target when workflow slows downLINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Claim a Free Planning Session to learn what coaching could do for your businessSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelGet a copy of the Profitable Tradie bookThanks for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to The Profitable Tradie Podcast? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us and leave us a review with a 5-star rating.
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  42 Minutes of Wisdom From A Business Owner Who Nearly Threw In The Towel 08.04.2026 42min

  Mike took his wife to the hospital.What they thought was a bad headache...Turned out to be a golf-ball sized brain tumour.Meanwhile, his trades business couldn’t run without him.But after surgery, he needed to support his partner.That was Mike's wake-up call to get help.Since joining Profitable Tradie...His business has gone from relying on him for everything…To having a team and systems in place so it runs without him.He’s no longer constantly thinking about work…He’s actually present with his family again.And on top of that…He’s grown from $500K a year…To $750K+…With margins increasing from 10% to over 50%.WHAT YOU’LL GAIN FROM LISTENING TO TODAY’S PODCAST:Why Mike was shocked to learn his business was basically worth nothing… and what he did to fix itThe surprising family benefit Mike got from fixing his businessHow Mike went from 10% to 50% margins in 18 monthsLINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Claim a Free Planning Session to learn what coaching could do for your businessSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelGet a copy of the Profitable Tradie bookThanks for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to The Profitable Tradie Podcast? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us and leave us a review with a 5-star rating.
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  The Real Reason Your Team Doesn’t Listen 01.04.2026 28min

  You shouldn’t have to say it again.You’ve told your guys a hundred times already.Nothing’s changed.Jobs are still going sideways.Mistakes keep happening.And you’re sick of repeating yourself.What don’t they understand?Are they even listening?Truth is:They probably aren’t.Not because they’re useless.Or because they don’t care.It’s because you need to change your communication style.WHAT YOU’LL GAIN FROM LISTENING TO TODAY’S PODCAST:Why “telling” your team what to do is a mistake.How to make change stick without repeating yourself over and over.The simple coaching framework that will get you better results, less stress, and a stronger team.LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Claim a Free Planning Session to learn what coaching could do for your businessSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelGet a copy of the Profitable Tradie bookThanks for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to The Profitable Tradie Podcast? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us and leave us a review with a 5-star rating.
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  The Hiring Mistake That Keeps You Stuck 25.03.2026 27min

  When jobs stack up, it’s easy to spread out the extra work with the team you already have...But it’s a big mistake.I've made a video breaking down why hybrid roles backfire (and what to do instead)WHAT YOU’LL GAIN FROM LISTENING TO TODAY’S PODCAST:How to know for sure you can afford to hire for a new role (and not worry about it)The best way to increase your team’s workload without things going pear shapedThe hidden cost of hybrid roles you won’t see comingLINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Claim a Free Planning Session to learn what coaching could do for your businessSubscribe to our YouTube ChannelGet a copy of the Profitable Tradie bookThanks for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to The Profitable Tradie Podcast? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us and leave us a review with a 5-star rating.