UpScale - Build your profitable Trade and Construction business

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  From Engineer to $500K Lawn Business: Mitch Ireland's Story - Ep 365 16.09.2026 29мин

  From Engineering to Owning a Six-Figure Lawn Care Business with Mitch IrelandIn this episode, Coach Dave sits down with Mitch Ireland from First Cut Lawn Care and Maintenance, based in Maitland just west of Newcastle, to talk about his journey from a career in mechanical engineering and project management to building a thriving lawn and landscape maintenance business.Mitch shares how he made the leap from a stable, well paid corporate job to working for himself, and how within just four months of starting full time, he was doing 25K plus months with a solid base of recurring revenue and commercial clients. He opens up about the mindset it took to walk away from security, the fear (and lack of it) that came with the decision, and why he was determined there was no plan B.You'll hear how Mitch applied skills from his engineering background, like budgeting, quoting, labour rates and project coordination, to a completely different industry, and how he's now aiming for a 500,000 dollar year while preparing to bring on more staff. The conversation also covers the importance of customer experience, knowing your niche, learning when to say no, and building a business that isn't dependent on you so it becomes a genuine asset, not just a job.If you're a tradie thinking about starting or scaling your own service based business, this episode is full of practical, honest insight into what that transition really looks like.Need help growing your business?Follow us on IG for daily content for your trade business: @upscalebusinesscoachingBook a free session with our Growth Specialist: upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcastWatch insights and tips on YouTube: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtubeFind out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: upscale-coaching.com/application-podcastHear from tradies who've done it, and learn what it really takes to grow a successful trade business: upscalecoaching.com.au/success-storiesLive Coaching Events 2026: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-live-eventsWe've got the tools you need to scale your business, automate, hire, and delegate. Book your call with our team to talk strategy and learn more about our program.
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  How do you know your ads are working? - Ep 364 13.09.2026 24мин

  You're spending money on Google Ads or Facebook Ads every month, but how do you actually know if it's working? For a lot of trade business owners, the honest answer is "I'm not sure," and that gray area can cost you thousands.In this episode, Jason sits down with Jordan, founder of J Digital, an agency that helps tradies grow their business through Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and the systems that connect everything behind the scenes. Jordan breaks down what actually separates a good marketing agency from a bad one, why tracking your sales data matters more than the numbers inside your ads manager, and how something as simple as a missed follow up can turn a "quiet month" into a pile of leads that were never chased up.They get into why sending traffic straight to your website instead of a dedicated landing page kills conversions, why speed to lead can make or break whether you win the job, and what to have in place before you spend a single dollar on ads, including whether your business is even ready to handle the leads that come in. Jordan also shares a real example of a trade business owner who thought his ads had stopped working, until the data showed the leads were fine, they just weren't being followed up.If you've ever looked at your ad spend and wondered whether it's actually paying off, this episode will give you a clear, practical way to find out.Need help growing your business?Follow us on IG for daily content for your trade business: https://www.instagram.com/upscalebusinesscoaching/Book a free session with our Growth Specialist: https://upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcastWatch insights and tips on YouTube: https://www.upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtubeFind out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: https://upscale-coaching.com/application-podcastFollow Jordan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdigital_co/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/Live Coaching Events 2026: https://www.upscale-coaching.com/upscale-live-eventsWe've got the tools you need to scale your business, automate, hire, and delegate. Book your call with our team to talk strategy and learn more about our program: https://upscale-coaching.com/upscale-discovery-call-rr
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  How business shows up in personal relationships at home - Ep 363 09.09.2026 18мин

  In this episode, Mitch and Erina sit down for a raw and honest chat about something every business owner deals with but rarely talks about openly: how your relationship holds up when you're building a business.Need help growing your business?Follow us on IG for daily content for your trade business: ⁠@upscalebusinesscoaching⁠Book a free session with our Growth Specialist: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcast⁠Watch insights and tips on YouTube: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtube⁠Find out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/application-podcast⁠Hear from tradies who've done it, and learn what it really takes to grow a successful trade business: ⁠upscalecoaching.com.au/success-stories⁠Live Coaching Events 2026: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/upscale-live-events⁠Mitch shares what it's taken to get full buy in from his wife over the years, and why being upfront from the very start about what business ownership actually demands (the energy, the time, the sacrifices) made all the difference. He talks candidly about the difference between "business Mitch" and "relationship Mitch," why he doesn't bring every work frustration home, and how oversharing the small stuff without context can unintentionally create friction or resentment in a relationship.Erina brings a different perspective, having navigated a past relationship where her time and work weren't fully respected, compared to now being with a partner who understands the demands of running a business firsthand. Together they unpack the power of clarity, communication, and setting expectations early, plus why protecting your energy is just as important as protecting your time when you're the one carrying the business.If you're a trade business owner trying to balance a demanding business with a healthy relationship at home, this episode is full of honest, practical takeaways.Follow the hosts:@mitchvan_@erinaroxxWe've got the tools you need to scale your business, automate, hire, and delegate. Book your call with our team to talk strategy and learn more about our program.
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  Success Mindset: 20 years, 42 iron man, 5 wins — What Tim Van Berkel Learned About Winning and Family 06.09.2026 1ч 8мин

  In the first episode of our new Success Mindset series, Head Coach Riley sits down with 5-time Ironman champion Tim to talk about what it actually takes to build something great over 20 years, on the racecourse and off it.Tim shares how he went from a shy footy playing teenager to one of Australia's most successful professional triathletes, and what changed for him after his breakthrough seventh place finish at the Ironman World Championship in Kona. He gets honest about the pressure that once broke him before a big race, the visualisation work that turned his mindset around, and the hardest part of it all: trying to be a good dad and husband while chasing a dream that demanded everything.If you're a trade business owner, this conversation will hit close to home. Tim's story touches on the same challenges we hear from tradies every day: sacrificing time with family to build something for them, surrounding yourself with the right people, staying disciplined when results aren't coming, and learning how to compartmentalise a bad day so it doesn't derail the next one.This episode is about mindset first and business second, but the lessons apply directly to anyone building a business from the ground up.We've got the tools you need to scale your business, automate, hire, and delegate. Book your call with our team to talk strategy and learn more about our program.Links mentioned in this episode:Follow us on Instagram for daily content for your trade business: @upscalebusinesscoachingBook a free session with our Growth Specialist: upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcastWatch insights and tips on YouTube: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtubeFind out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: upscale-coaching.com/application-podcastHear from tradies who've done it, and learn what it really takes to grow a successful trade business: upscalecoaching.com.au/success-storiesLive Coaching Events 2026: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-live-events
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  Busy Season Is Coming: Are You Ready? - Ep 361 02.09.2026 24мин

  Every year it sneaks up. One minute business is quiet, the next you're slammed with more work than you can handle, and if you haven't prepped, that busy period can wreck your cash flow, your team, and your sanity.Need help growing your business?Follow us on IG for daily content for your trade business: ⁠@upscalebusinesscoaching⁠Book a free session with our Growth Specialist: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcast⁠Watch insights and tips on YouTube: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtube⁠Find out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/application-podcast⁠Hear from tradies who've done it: ⁠upscalecoaching.com.au/success-stories⁠Live Coaching Events 2026: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/upscale-live-events⁠Follow Mitch on Instagram: ⁠⁠@mitchvan_⁠⁠In this episode, Dave and Mitch break down exactly how to get ahead of the rush before it hits. They cover the three things every trade business needs to nail before busy season: getting enough work in the pipeline, having the right staff in place, and making sure your systems can handle the load without falling apart.You'll hear why hiring takes longer than most tradies think (and why you need to start now, not in November), how to use pricing and nurture sequences to spread work more evenly across the year, and why the slow season is actually the best time to fix your systems, not during the chaos of December and January.Dave and Mitch also get into staffing decisions, stock and material planning, cash flow prep, and how to have the right conversations with your family so busy season doesn't run you into the ground. Plus a few laughs along the way, because running a trade business is hard enough without taking yourself too seriously.If you're a tradie who wants to walk into the next busy season prepared instead of scrambling, this one's for you.
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  Tradies: How to Get Your Team Selling Like You Do with Ryan Tuckwood 01.09.2026 42мин

  In this episode, Mitch sits down with Ryan Tuckwood, co-founder of Swish Sales Coaching and the only business in Australian Shark Tank history to walk away with three investors who are still on board eight years later.Need help growing your business?Follow us on IG for daily content for your trade business: ⁠@upscalebusinesscoaching⁠Book a free session with our Growth Specialist: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcast⁠Watch insights and tips on YouTube: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtube⁠Find out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/application-podcast⁠Hear from tradies who've done it: ⁠upscalecoaching.com.au/success-stories⁠Live Coaching Events 2026: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/upscale-live-events⁠They dig into the moment every trade business owner has to stop being the one who sells and start teaching the team to do it, and why that's harder than it sounds when you've never actually broken down how you do it yourself.Ryan shares his 300% rule of value (and why most tradies leave money on the table by not selling themselves first), the daily sales surgery routine that helps teams speed up their sales cycle and lift conversions, and the MAMOA framework his team uses every single morning to move leads forward. You'll also hear how AI is changing the way businesses build sales SOPs, why energy management matters just as much on a job site as it does on stage, and Ryan's take on Shark Tank, from the nerves before walking into the tank to what actually won the investors over.If you've ever wondered how to get your admin team, technicians, or new hires selling the way you do, without you having to be on every call, this one's for you.Follow Mitch on Instagram: @mitchvan_
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  Why Procrastination Isn't Laziness, It's Self Protection - Ep 361 26.08.2026 42мин

  In this episode of the UpScale Business Podcast, Mitch V sits down with coach Riley to unpack his recent masterclass on procrastination, and why most people never get from "I wish I could do that" to actually doing it.They talk about the real cost behind every goal you've ever set. Not the fantasy version, the actual hours, sacrifices and boring, unglamorous work that gets skipped over when people only see the end result. Riley shares what it took to build the business and life he has now, why most people are jealous of what you have but never of how you got it, and why understanding that gap changes everything.You'll also hear about:Why procrastination isn't a personality trait, it's a choice, and how to catch yourself making itThe habit loop Riley used to completely reprogram his morning routine (and how anyone can use it)Why comfort is the enemy of growth, and how to get comfortable being uncomfortableThe power of self talk, and how the way you speak to yourself becomes your realityWhy outworking people is one of the simplest, most reliable paths to success, even if you're not the most naturally gifted person in the roomHow Riley's head coach went from unhealthy and unhappy to completing an Ironman, just by starting with one walk a dayIf you're a trade business owner who's great on the tools but keeps putting off the business side of things, this episode will hit home. It's an honest look at what it actually takes to build something worth having, and why the work you're avoiding is usually the work that matters most.Hosted by Mitch V (@mitchvan_)Need help growing your business?Follow us on IG for daily content for your trade business: @upscalebusinesscoachingBook a free session with our Growth Specialist: upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcastWatch insights and tips on YouTube: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtubeFind out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: upscale-coaching.com/application-podcastHear from tradies who've done it: upscalecoaching.com.au/success-storiesLive Coaching Events 2026: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-live-events
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  Balancing Business With Your Relationships - Ep 359 23.08.2026 46мин

  Growing a business always comes with a price tag you can see: staff, tools, systems. But there's a cost that rarely gets talked about, the one that shows up in your relationships, your energy, and your mental health.In this episode, Mitch is joined by Dom and special guest Nigel Benjamin, an entrepreneur, property developer, and relationship and communications counselor based between Jamaica and Bali. The conversation dives into the hidden costs of growing your trade business: the toll that long hours and constant deadlines can take on your family, your partner, and your own wellbeing if you don't build in downtime and boundaries along the way.Nigel shares what he's learned from 25 plus years running an intense, deadline driven career while raising a family, and how he eventually had to redesign the way he worked so business growth didn't come at the cost of everything else. They talk about creating a personal system for success, why downtime is a business strategy and not a luxury, how to have the hard conversations at home and at work, and why asking for what you need (and actually listening when someone else does) changes everything, from your marriage to your team culture.If you're a trade business owner who feels like growth is quietly costing you more than it's giving back, this episode will help you see what's really going on, and what to do about it.Follow Mitch on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchvan_/Connect with Nigel (Angel Belove, Relationship Coach):Website: https://coaching-for-couples.ghost.io/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angel_beloveBook a free 30 minute discovery call: https://calendly.com/angelbe/free-30-minutes-discovery-call-w-angelNeed help growing your business?Follow us on IG for daily content for your trade business: https://www.instagram.com/upscalebusinesscoaching/Book a free session with our Growth Specialist: https://upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcastWatch insights and tips on YouTube: https://www.upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtubeFind out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: https://upscale-coaching.com/application-podcastHear 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/Live Coaching Events 2026: https://www.upscale-coaching.com/upscale-live-events
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  Sparky Explains: 55% Increase in average job value with AI - Ep 357 19.08.2026 38мин

  Pete Griffith (https://airproelectrical.com.au/) runs an air conditioning and electrical business in the Hawkesbury, NSW, with a team of 13. Six months ago, the only AI he'd touched was ChatGPT for the odd email. Today he's building and improving his own business software almost every day, without ever learning to code.Need help growing your business? Follow us on IG for daily Content for your Trade Business  @upscalebusinesscoachingBook a free session with our Growth Specialist: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcast⁠Watch insights and tips on YouTube: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtube⁠Find out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: ⁠https://upscale-coaching.com/application-podcastHear 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, Pete sits down with Anton Ryan, AI Specialist at Upscale, to unpack exactly how that happened. He walks through what quoting used to look like at his business: a technician on site, a call back to the office, the office manager chasing part prices and building a quote, then an email sent off hours (sometimes a full day) later. By the time the customer had an answer, the technician was long gone and any chance to upsell on the spot had gone with them.Pete explains how he worked with Claude to build an onsite sales tool that lets his technicians quote jobs, add photos, and mark them up right there in front of the customer. No more waiting, no more chasing, no more lost upsell opportunities. The result has been a 55% increase in average job value across the business.Pete also shares how he actually talks to Claude to get results, including a real example of prompting it by voice to add a photo markup feature on the spot, tested and live within minutes. He covers what it costs to run (spoiler: not much), why he thinks getting proper guidance before diving in matters, and why he believes in shipping software at 85% done rather than waiting for perfect.If you're a trade business owner wondering whether this AI stuff is actually worth your time, this episode is a real, no fluff look at what's possible when you start using it properly.In this episode:Why Pete decided to start building his own tools instead of hiring a developerA full before and after of his quoting processHow a 55% jump in average job value happenedThe exact way Pete prompts Claude to get useful resultsWhy shipping early and improving as you go beats waiting for perfectWhat it actually costs to run AI tools like this in a small trade businessConnect with us:Follow us on Instagram for daily content for your trade business: @upscalebusinesscoachingBook a free session with our Growth Specialist: upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcastWatch insights and tips on YouTube: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtubeFind out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: upscale-coaching.com/application-podcastHear from tradies who've done it: upscalecoaching.com.au/success-storiesLive Coaching Events 2026: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-live-events
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  Tradies: 3 Hidden Leaks Costing You $72K a Year - Ep 356 16.08.2026 30мин

  Feel like you're stuck at your current price point but still not seeing enough profit hit your bank account? You're not alone, and pricing isn't the only lever you can pull.Need help growing your business?Follow us on IG for daily content for your trade business: ⁠@upscalebusinesscoaching⁠Book a free session with our Growth Specialist: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcast⁠Watch insights and tips on YouTube: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtube⁠Find out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/application-podcast⁠Hear from tradies who've done it, and learn what it really takes to grow a successful trade business: ⁠upscale-coaching.com.au/success-stories⁠Live Coaching Events 2026: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/upscale-live-events⁠In this episode, accounting coaches Lucy and Tiarne break down three practical ways trade business owners can boost revenue and profit without touching their rates: labor efficiency, materials and subcontractor markup, and identifying hidden leakages in your business.They dig into the real numbers behind wasted travel time, wholesaler runs, and gaps in your schedule, and show you exactly how much profit is quietly slipping through the cracks. You'll also hear a real world example of how small shifts, a 10% lift in staff efficiency, subcontractor volume, and material volume, can add up to an extra $72,000 in net profit over a year.Whether you're running a small crew or managing a growing team, this episode gives you a clear framework for reviewing your billable hours, tightening your quoting process, back costing your jobs properly, and making sure every dollar you're spending on materials and subs is working for you.If you've ever felt priced out of the market or unsure whether you have room to move, this one's worth the listen.We've got the tools you need to scale your business, automate, hire, and delegate. Book your call with our team to talk strategy and learn more about our program.
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  Why Tradies Need to Get on Camera in Their Advertising - Ep 355 12.08.2026 23мин

  In this episode, Mitch sits down with Jordan from J Digital Co to talk about one of the biggest gaps they see in trade business marketing: tradies avoiding the camera.Jordan breaks down why getting on video, even just filming on your phone, is one of the fastest ways to build trust with potential customers, especially if you're selling high ticket services like renovations, solar, or air conditioning. They get into why polished, overly produced content is actually underperforming right now, how video helps you answer customer objections before they even pick up the phone, and why showing your team on camera (not just the owner) makes your business look bigger and more credible.They also cover the classic excuse trade business owners give for avoiding video (feeling awkward, not looking professional enough) and why that fear is holding a lot of businesses back from growth. Jordan shares simple ideas for what to actually film if you have no idea where to start, including customer testimonials, before and afters, and answering the questions you get asked on every single phone call.If you've been putting off getting on camera for your business, this episode is the push you need to just pick up your phone and start filming.Follow Jordan: @jdigital_coFollow Mitch: @mitchvan_Need free business advice for your trade business?Follow us on IG for daily content for your trade business: @upscalebusinesscoachingBook a free session with our Growth Specialist: upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcastWatch insights and tips on YouTube: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtubeFind out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: upscale-coaching.com/application-podcastHear from tradies who've done it: upscalecoaching.com.au/success-storiesLive Coaching Events 2026: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-live-events
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  Tradies: How to Make This Your Best Year in Business - Ep 354 09.08.2026 27мин

  A new financial year is the perfect reset point, and in this episode Erina and Mitch break down what it actually takes to make the next 12 months your best year in business yet.They kick things off talking about control, why so many business owners feel like life is happening to them instead of realising almost everything, especially their actions, is within their control. From there they get into the tools that help you bounce back when things go sideways, from simple breathing techniques to just having a plan and coming back to your baseline quickly when stress hits.There's a solid chunk on goal setting too, why you don't need a perfectly specific goal to get moving, the difference between carrot and stick motivation, and how to reverse engineer a big goal like doubling your business into a monthly, quarterly, and half yearly roadmap. Mitch also shares a genuinely useful reframe for trade business owners: the same step by step, logical thinking you use on the tools to get a job done is exactly the skill you need to hit your business goals, you're just not always applying it the same way.They close out with one simple but powerful principle for the year ahead: stop starting and start finishing.If you've been putting off setting a real plan for the year ahead, this episode is the nudge to get started.Follow along with the hosts:@erinaroxx@mitchvan_We've got the tools you need to scale your business, automate, hire, and delegate. Book your call with our team to talk strategy and learn more about our program.Need help growing your business?Follow us on IG for daily content for your trade business: @upscalebusinesscoachingBook a free session with our Growth Specialist: upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcastWatch insights and tips on YouTube: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtubeFind out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: upscale-coaching.com/application-podcastHear from tradies who've done it, and learn what it really takes to grow a successful trade business: upscale-coaching.com.au/success-storiesLive Coaching Events 2026: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-live-events
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  UpScale Anniversary 4 years - Lessons from a business owner - Ep 353 05.08.2026 22мин

  This episode features Mitch and Erina reflecting on 4 years of business ownership, so I've included both of their Instagram handles as requested. Note: the file title mentions "other Client Wins" but the actual content is entirely a personal reflection episode (business partnerships, hiring fears, home life balance, community, sales mindset) — no specific client wins are discussed in the transcript, so I've written the description around the real content.4 Years in Business: The Biggest Lessons Mitch & Erina Learned Along the WayTo mark four years of Upscale Business Coaching, Mitch and Erina sit down for an honest, unfiltered chat about what running a business has actually taught them, personally and professionally.They open up about buying out a business partner and why having tough conversations early beats sitting on them for weeks. They talk about the hidden cost of a chaotic home life on business performance, and why a stable relationship outside of work can make or break how you show up in it. There's a candid look at the fear that comes with your first hire, and how procrastinating on interviews and resumes almost held them back.Mitch and Erina also get into why isolation is one of the most underrated challenges of business ownership, and how surrounding yourself with other driven business owners changes the trajectory of your growth. They wrap up with a conversation about sales, why every business owner is a salesperson whether they like it or not, and how leaning into your own personality, quirks and all, can make selling feel a lot less forced.It's a raw, reflective episode for any trade business owner who's ever felt like they're figuring it all out alone.Follow along with the hosts:@erinaroxx@mitchvan_We've got the tools you need to scale your business, automate, hire, and delegate. Book your call with our team to talk strategy and learn more about our program.Need help growing your business?Follow us on IG for daily content for your trade business: @upscalebusinesscoachingBook a free session with our Growth Specialist: upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcastWatch insights and tips on YouTube: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtubeFind out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: upscale-coaching.com/application-podcastHear from tradies who've done it, and learn what it really takes to grow a successful trade business: upscale-coaching.com.au/success-storiesLive Coaching Events 2026: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-live-events
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  Sparky Story: He Completed UpScale Part 3 (Selling His Electrical Business)- Ep 352 02.08.2026 23мин

  This is the final episode in our three part series following Thomas Marshall's journey from apprentice electrician to business owner, and now, to selling the business he built.In this episode, Thomas picks up the story from where his business had grown to 15 guys in the field, an office, and admin support. He talks about what it actually took to scale that fast, including the lead generation mix that got him there (hint: it wasn't just cold outreach), and why relying on one channel for leads is a mistake he sees a lot of trade business owners make.Then things shift. Thomas opens up about the moment everything changed for him, becoming a dad, and how that made him rethink what he actually wanted from his business and his life. He walks through his first (failed) attempt at selling the business on his own, what he learned from that, and what it actually took to get the business into a position where someone else would want to buy it.If you've ever wondered what it really takes to build a trade business that can run without you, and eventually sell for what it's actually worth, this episode lays it out honestly, including the parts that didn't work the first time around.Missed the first two episodes? Go back and listen to Part 1 and Part 2 to hear the full journey from the start.Need free business advice for your trade business?Follow us on IG for daily content for your trade business: @upscalebusinesscoachingBook a free session with our Growth Specialist: upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcastWatch insights and tips on YouTube: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtubeFind out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: upscale-coaching.com/application-podcastHear from tradies who've done it: upscalecoaching.com.au/success-storiesLive Coaching Events 2026: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-live-events
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  Sparky Story: He Completed UpScale Part 2 (Growing the Team) - Ep 351 29.07.2026 18мин

  In Part 2 of Thomas Marshall's story on the UpScale Business Podcast, the conversation moves from just surviving to actually growing. Thomas walks through what it was really like making his first hire, a mate from school who quit his job before Thomas had even officially offered him one, and how that leap forced him to figure out hiring, pricing, and running a team on the fly.Thomas shares the moment his now wife Bex left her job as a property manager to come on board and run the admin and ops side of the business, and how that shift freed him up to focus on landing new work. He also opens up about the hires that didn't go to plan, the fear that came with scaling a growing team, and the accountability from his coaches that kept him on track when things got messy.The episode covers the milestone of moving out of the spare bedroom and into a real office, the ambition that kicked in once he saw the business actually working, and the mindset shift from just getting by to deliberately planning for growth.If you're a trade business owner thinking about your first hire, wondering how to structure your team, or trying to work out when it's time to get an office, this episode is full of honest, practical lessons from someone who's done it.Need help growing your business?Follow us on IG for daily content for your Trade Business: @upscalebusinesscoachingBook a free session with our Growth Specialist: upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcastWatch insights and tips on YouTube: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtubeFind out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: upscale-coaching.com/application-podcastHear from tradies who've done it, and learn what it really takes to grow a successful trade business: upscalecoaching.com.au/success-storiesLive Coaching Events 2026: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-live-eventsWe've got the tools you need to scale your business, automate, hire, and delegate. Book your call with our team to talk strategy and learn more about our program.
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  Sparky Story: He Completed UpScale, Part 1 (Origin Story) - Ep 350 26.07.2026 15мин

  Origin Story: How Thomas Marshall Built His Electrical Business From $400 in the BankIn this episode of the UpScale Business Podcast, the team sits down with Thomas Marshall, an Aussie-born electrician who moved to New Zealand at just 16 years old, living alone while completing his apprenticeship.Thomas shares the real story behind starting his own electrical business, Bluestone Electrical, right as the first COVID lockdown hit. With no steady income and just $400 left in his bank account, he had to figure out how to find work fast. He talks through the early hustle: posting in local Facebook groups, doing cold outreach to builders and property managers, and landing the contractor agreement that became his big break and helped him build a steady client base across Auckland.Thomas also opens up about why he decided to invest in coaching early on, even when money was tight, and how having accountability changed the way he ran his business. He breaks down the biggest lesson from those early days: consistency beats intensity every time, and small actions done regularly compound into real results.If you're a trade business owner just starting out, still finding your feet, or wondering whether coaching is worth it, this episode is packed with practical, honest insight from someone who's lived it.Need help growing your business?Follow us on IG for daily content for your Trade Business: @upscalebusinesscoachingBook a free session with our Growth Specialist: upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcastWatch insights and tips on YouTube: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtubeFind out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: upscale-coaching.com/application-podcastHear from tradies who've done it, and learn what it really takes to grow a successful trade business: upscalecoaching.com.au/success-storiesLive Coaching Events 2026: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-live-eventsWe've got the tools you need to scale your business, automate, hire, and delegate. Book your call with our team to talk strategy and learn more about our program.
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  Mitch's Business Journey: From Skateboard Decks to 400+ Staff (And Everything In Between) - 22.07.2026 36мин

  In this episode of the Upscale Business Coaching Podcast, Mitch sits down to reflect on his business journey as Upscale celebrates its 4th birthday and kicks off a new financial year.Need help growing your business? Follow us on IG for daily Content for your Trade Business  @upscalebusinesscoachingBook a free session with our Growth Specialist: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcast⁠Watch insights and tips on YouTube: ⁠upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtube⁠Find out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: ⁠https://upscale-coaching.com/application-podcastMitch shares how he learned sales and margins as a teenager making skateboard decks, why he turned down a $300,000 law scholarship to support his family, and the lessons he picked up running a fruit and veg store before scaling a Jim's Franchise business to over 400 staff.The conversation covers what separates business owners who dread the grind from those who genuinely love it, why sales is a skill that shows up in every part of life (not just business), the difference between wholesaling and selling at full margin, and why building a compelling offer matters more than competing on price.Mitch also opens up about why the trade and construction industry carries more risk than almost any other in Australia and New Zealand, and why building a supportive community, rather than a brutal, tall poppy one, is one of the most underrated things a tradie can do for their business.Whether you're a tradie thinking about stepping off the tools or a business owner wanting to enjoy the day to day again, this episode is full of real talk, hard won lessons, and a genuine love for the game.In this episode:Mitch's first business at 19 and what it taught him about partnershipsThe difference between mass ticket sales and building a compelling offerWhy Australia's trade industry is one of the riskiest for business ownersHow Upscale's mentor coach program is helping members give backWhy a supportive community changes the game for tradies growing a businessFollow Mitch: @mitchvan_Need help growing your trade business?Follow us for daily content: @upscalebusinesscoachingBook a free session with our Growth Specialist: upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcastWatch more insights on YouTube: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtubeFind out where your business stands: Tradie QuizHear real success stories: upscalecoaching.com.au/success-storiesLive Coaching Events 2026: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-live-events
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  How KPIs make you money! - Ep 349 19.07.2026 22мин

  In this episode of the UpScale Podcast, Leon sits down with Erina (@erinaroxx) to break down one of the most talked about (and misunderstood) topics in business: KPIs, key performance indicators.If you've ever wondered what KPIs actually are, why they matter, or where to even start, this episode is for you. Using a sporting analogy (an under 8s soccer player versus a World Cup star), Leon and Erina explain how the KPIs you track should evolve as your business grows, but the fundamentals stay the same.They dig into the financial side first: revenue, gross profit margin, and net profit margin, and why these three numbers alone can tell you exactly where your business is winning or losing money. From there, the conversation moves into how those numbers connect to your team, covering things like billable hours, job efficiency, callbacks, and how to spot when one team member's performance is quietly affecting your bottom line.You'll also hear practical advice on:Building simple checklists and KPIs for apprentices, tradesmen, and leadership rolesSetting realistic targets for cold calls, follow ups, and lead generationWhy tracking your numbers (even manually) beats not tracking at allHow to automate KPI tracking using tools like Google Sheets and ZapierReinvesting profit surplus back into your team once you're hitting targets consistentlyWhy KPIs aren't just for your business, they can apply to your personal goals too, like time with family or hitting the gymWhether you're a one man band just starting out or running a growing team, this episode will help you build a simple, sustainable way to measure what's actually working in your business.We've got the tools you need to scale your business, automate, hire, and delegate. Book your call with our team to talk strategy and learn more about our program.Need help growing your business?Follow us on IG for daily content for your trade business: @upscalebusinesscoachingBook a free session with our Growth Specialist: upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcastWatch insights and tips on YouTube: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtubeFind out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: upscale-coaching.com/application-podcastHear from tradies who've done it, and learn what it really takes to grow a successful trade business: upscalecoaching.com.au/success-storiesLive Coaching Events 2026: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-live-eventsQuick note: I only linked Erina's handle since Mitch isn't in this recording, it's Leon and Erina. Let me know if Leon has a handle you'd like added instead.
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  Tradie Story: $50K to $450K - How to Incentivise Your Team - Ep 348 15.07.2026 29мин

  In this episode of the UpScale Business Podcast, Mitch (@mitchvan_) and Erina (@erinaroxx) sit down to unpack one of the biggest challenges trade business owners face: how to reward your team for going above and beyond, without paying extra for things that should already be part of the job.The conversation kicks off with a huge win from one of UpScale's own coaches, a client who joined UpScale three years ago doing $50K months with his wife as his apprentice, and has now cracked a $450K month running a successful business in a competitive Perth market.Mitch and Erina break down exactly what this business owner is doing differently, including how he uses small incentives (like paying team members for Google reviews with their name mentioned) alongside bigger team based rewards, like a shared "Bali fund" that the whole crew contributes to when they hit their KPIs together.You'll also hear the pair get into some bigger picture ideas around:The real difference between your baseline job requirements and what deserves an extra incentiveWhy so many Australian business owners struggle to have hard conversations about performanceWhat happens when a team doesn't hit their incentive target, and how to handle that as a leaderWhy clear expectations and structure actually make your team perform better, not worseCultural differences in work ethic and what trade business owners can learn from themWhether you're running a small crew or a growing trade business, this episode will help you think differently about incentives, accountability, and building a team that's genuinely invested in your success.Need help growing your business?Follow us on IG for daily content for your trade business: @upscalebusinesscoachingBook a free session with our Growth Specialist: upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcastWatch insights and tips on YouTube: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtubeFind out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: upscale-coaching.com/application-podcastHear from tradies who've done it, and learn what it really takes to grow a successful trade business: upscalecoaching.com.au/success-storiesLive Coaching Events 2026: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-live-events
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  Sparky Story: From Losing $165K to Building a $4.5 Million Business - Ep 347 12.07.2026 37мин

  From Losing $165K to Building a $4.5 Million Electrical Business | Jordan's Trade Business JourneyWhat would you do if your business was under pressure, you were carrying debt, and one bad decision cost you more than $165,000?In this episode of the UpScale Business Podcast, Erina sits down with Jordan from Lektrix Property Solutions to unpack the highs and lows of growing an electrical business. Jordan shares how buying a café nearly derailed everything, why he had to rebuild his electrical business from the ground up, and the practical steps that helped him grow from a team of four to eleven while working fewer hours.This honest conversation is packed with lessons for electricians, tradies, and construction business owners who want to grow sustainably, improve profitability, hire the right people, and create more freedom without sacrificing their personal life.In this episode, you'll learn:• Why buying the wrong business almost cost Jordan everything• How he rebuilt his electrical business after starting over• The importance of knowing your numbers and tracking performance• How to hire the right people instead of hiring out of desperation• Simple lead generation strategies using your existing customer database• Why setting clear business goals changes everything• How Jordan grew from around $66K months to almost $240K months• How building the right team helped him spend less time at work and more time living lifeIf you're a tradie looking to grow your business, improve your systems, and create more profit without burning yourself out, this episode is full of practical advice you can apply.Need help growing your business?Follow us on Instagram for daily content for trade business owners:@upscalebusinesscoaching🎙️ Follow Erina:https://www.instagram.com/erinaroxx/Book a free session with one of our Growth Specialists:https://upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcastWatch insights and tips on YouTube:https://upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtubeTake our Tradie Quiz and find out where your business stands:https://upscale-coaching.com/application-podcastHear from tradies who have transformed their businesses:https://www.upscalecoaching.com.au/success-stories/Join us at an UpScale Live Event:https://www.upscale-coaching.com/upscale-live-events🏃 This year the UpScale team are lacing up for the Gold Coast Marathon to raise funds for TIACS, providing free mental health support for tradies, truckies, farmers, and blue collar workers. If you'd like to support the cause, you can donate here:https://fundraise.tiacs.org/fundraisers/upscalegoldcoastmarathon2026