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🫱🏻‍🫲🏼 Book a Free Strategy Call with Tradie Web Guys: https://tradie.wiki/tssyt How many good leads are slipping through the cracks in your trade business because of a weak sales process? In Episode 495 of The Site Shed, Matt Jones sits down with Ben Wright to unpack why so many trade businesses waste perfectly viable leads through a weak sales process.  From slow response times and poor follow-up to inconsistent quotes and missed opportunities on site, this episode digs into the practical gaps that quietly kill conversions and how you can correct them. Key chapters 00:00 - Introduction 00:44 - Welcome Guest Ben Wright 03:12 - Building Trust through Content 08:22 - First Impressions and Presentation 11:30 - Analyzing the Sales Process 14:41 - The Sales Success Framework 18:52 - Lifetime Value and ROI 25:24 - Avoiding Fat Cat Syndrome 32:05 - Scaling Beyond Referrals 34:14 - Allocating Budget for Marketing 38:32 - Small Changes, Large Impact 42:55 - Optimizing the Customer Journey 46:42 - Training Teams for Upselling 53:21 - Embracing Change and AI 01:00:08 - The Importance of Coaching 📲 Watch On YouTube! https://youtu.be/wOPk8k22eJI Links mentioned in this episode: Stronger Sales Teams: https://www.strongersalesteams.com Connect With Ben Wright: Website: https://www.strongersalesteams.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strongersalesteams Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092201545034 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachbenwright/ Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0503Mx6cuIKdgW9qaUvmSf?si=c2918891d2ec4cb0 CONNECT WITH THE TRADIE WEB GUYS! Website: https://www.tradiewebguys.com.au/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TradieWebGuysOfficial?sub_confirmation=1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TradieWebGuysOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tradiewebguys/ LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/company/tradie-web-guys Matt’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamthemattj/  If you enjoyed this podcast, please take a moment to leave us a review: ⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below: ⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed #podcast #thesiteshed #tradiewebguys Your Next Step: Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies. 👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod Follow The Site Shed: Facebook: The Site ShedInstagram: @thesiteshedLinkedIn: Matt JonesWebsite: thesiteshed.comYouTube: @TheSiteShedIf you enjoyed this podcast and the series, please take 5 minutes to leave us a review: ⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below: ⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

🫱🏻‍🫲🏼 Book a Free Strategy Call with Tradie Web Guys: https://tradie.wiki/tssyt  In Episode 494 of The Site Shed Podcast, Matt Jones sits down with returning guest Andrew O'Farrell to unpack what is really driving rising fuel costs and why tradie businesses should be paying close attention.  What starts as a conversation about diesel prices quickly opens up into a much bigger discussion around global energy markets, fragile supply chains, and the real-world impact on trade businesses across Australia. If you want a clearer view of what may be coming down the pipeline and how to prepare for it, this episode is a must-listen.  🎥 Watch the video version of this podcast at: https://www.youtube.com/@TradieWebGuysOfficial?sub_confirmation=1 Key Chapters:  00:00 Welcome back Andrew O'Farrell  00:07 Why diesel prices have jumped so dramatically  01:00 Why Australia is vulnerable to refined fuel shortages  02:15 What trade business owners need to understand about rising costs  02:53 Fuel is just the undercard, gas is the real story  04:43 How LNG disruption affects construction and manufacturing  06:07 Why food and fertiliser could be hit next  07:19 The Strait of Hormuz and why it matters  11:06 Could Australia be more self sufficient?  13:56 What this means for local industry and supply chains  16:03 Energy security, reserves, and the diesel problem  17:32 EVs, hybrids, and practical resilience  19:38 Why diesel is not going anywhere anytime soon  20:33 Does nuclear have a role in Australia?  22:29 Why we need a smarter transition, not a rushed one  24:22 The inflation and margin squeeze tradies should prepare for  26:20 What this could mean for Australia and Asia next  27:35 Final thoughts and planning for what’s ahead Links mentioned in this episode:  The Site Shed Podcast Episode 188 with Andrew O'Farrell: https://www.thesiteshed.com/energy-1/ Connect With Andrew O'Farrell:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-o-farrell-352b8747/ CONNECT WITH THE TRADIE WEB GUYS! Website: https://www.tradiewebguys.com.au/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TradieWebGuysOfficial?sub_confirmation=1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TradieWebGuysOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tradiewebguys/ LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/company/tradie-web-guys Matt’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamthemattj/  Your Next Step: Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies. 👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod Follow The Site Shed: Facebook: The Site ShedInstagram: @thesiteshedLinkedIn: Matt JonesWebsite: thesiteshed.comYouTube: @TheSiteShedIf you enjoyed this podcast and the series, please take 5 minutes to leave us a review: ⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below: ⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

🎯 Free Tools for Growing Trade Businesses: https://tradie.wiki/pod 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼 Book a Free Strategy Call with Tradie Web Guys: https://tradie.wiki/tssyt How do you onboard new tradies properly so they actually stick around past week one? In Episode 493 of The Site Shed Podcast, Matt Jones sits down with Vicky Irwin from Network Plumbing to unpack what effective staff onboarding really looks like in a growing trade business. If you’ve ever hired in a rush, thrown a new apprentice or technician into the deep end, or struggled with staff churn, this episode will give you a practical framework to help new team members feel clear, supported, and ready to succeed. Key Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 09:07 - The Recruitment and Pre-Onboarding Process 12:04 - Day One: Orientation and Company Culture 12:30 - Operational Integration and Facility Tour 13:30 - Ongoing Training and Communication Standards 17:18 - Developing Soft Skills and Professionalism 26:05 - Technology and Systems Adoption 23:24 - Safety as a Non-Negotiable 34:01 - Final Assessment and Team Integration 📲 Watch On YouTube! https://youtu.be/SOAw74WWJys CONNECT WITH VICKY IRWIN Website: https://networkplumbing.com.au LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicky-irwin-56a61712/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/networkplumbing Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/networktradies_/ LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/network-plumbing/ CONNECT WITH THE TRADIE WEB GUYS! Website: https://www.tradiewebguys.com.au/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TradieWebGuysOfficial?sub_confirmation=1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TradieWebGuysOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tradiewebguys/ LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/company/tradie-web-guys Matt’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamthemattj/  Your Next Step: Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies. 👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod Follow The Site Shed: Facebook: The Site ShedInstagram: @thesiteshedLinkedIn: Matt JonesWebsite: thesiteshed.comYouTube: @TheSiteShedIf you enjoyed this podcast and the series, please take 5 minutes to leave us a review: ⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below: ⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

🫱🏻‍🫲🏼 Book a Free Discovery Call with Tradie Web Guys: https://tradie.wiki/tssyt Most tradies don’t need more motivation. They need clearer targets. In this 492nd episode of The Site Shed, Matt Jones chats with Zak Saboune from Service Today about how to build KPIs that your team actually understands, buys into, and performs for. No fluffy corporate scorecards. Just simple, practical numbers and behaviours that drive better productivity, stronger culture, and more profit. If you’ve ever felt like your team is busy but results are inconsistent, this one will help you set expectations properly and track what matters without turning the business into a spreadsheet. Key Chapters: 00:00 - Teaser 01:30 - Introduction of Guest Zach Saboune 04:45 - Current Scale of the Business 06:26 - Managing Growth with KPIs 11:00 - Implementing Business Frameworks 15:32 - The Importance of Systemization 16:47 - Private Equity and Business Value 22:01 - Customer Acquisition Strategy 27:26 - Maximizing Lifetime Customer Value 31:34 - The Membership Model: Total Care Club 38:58 - Delivering on Membership Value 47:40 - Sticking to the B2C Vertical 53:42 - Staff Retention and Culture 57:54 - Training for Brand Consistency 59:19 - Future Outlook for Service Today 📲 Watch On Youtube: The Site Shed YouTube Channel 🎙 About Our Guest: Zac Saboune Zac Saboune is the CEO of Service Today and a leader in the Australian home services space, known for helping build one of the country’s largest service businesses. In this episode, he shares practical insights on KPIs, productivity, customer lifetime value, and building a trade business that scales with clarity and accountability. CONNECT WITH ZAC SABOUNE Website: https://www.servicetoday.com.au/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ServiceTodayAu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/servicetoday/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zak-saboune-ceo-of-australia-s-largest-home-service-company-53ba2a150/ CONNECT WITH THE TRADIE WEB GUYS! Website: https://www.tradiewebguys.com.au/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TradieWebGuysOfficial?sub_confirmation=1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TradieWebGuysOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tradiewebguys/ LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/company/tradie-web-guys Matt’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamthemattj/  If you enjoyed this podcast, please take a moment to leave us a review: ⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below: ⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed #podcast #thesiteshed #tradiewebguys Your Next Step: Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies. 👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod Follow The Site Shed: Facebook: The Site ShedInstagram: @thesiteshedLinkedIn: Matt JonesWebsite: thesiteshed.comYouTube: @TheSiteShedIf you enjoyed this podcast and the series, please take 5 minutes to leave us a review: ⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below: ⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

🎯 Free Tools for Growing Trade Businesses: https://tradie.wiki/pod 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼 Book a Free Strategy Call with Tradie Web Guys: https://tradie.wiki/tssyt Want to stop selling “membership discounts” and start building repeat work the simple way? Earn loyalty with trust, follow-up, and a customer experience that makes you the only plumber they remember. In Episode 491, Matt sits down with Scott Irwin from Network Plumbing to talk about why plumbing memberships usually do more harm than good for reactive residential services. Scott breaks down how the membership model got dragged over from HVAC, why discounts are “illusion value”, and why most tradies would be better off building loyalty through simple follow-up and consistent customer experience instead. You will also hear practical ideas on staying top of mind without spamming people, why direct mail still wins, when scheduled maintenance style programmes actually make sense (think strata and commercials), and how to upsell ethically by having the right conversation with the right decision- maker on site. Key Chapters: 📲 Listen On The Go! https://tradie.wiki/listen 🎙 About Our Guest: Scott Irwin Scott Irwin is the driving force behind Network Plumbing, an Australian plumbing business focused on delivering reliable service and long-term customer relationships. Connect With Scott Irwin: Website: https://networkplumbing.com.au/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/networkplumbing Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/networktradies_/ LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/network-plumbing/ Scott’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-irwin-5b413a31/ CONNECT WITH THE SITE SHED! Website: https://www.thesiteshed.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSiteShed?sub_confirmation=1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesiteshed Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesiteshed/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-site-shed/ Matt’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamthemattj/  CONNECT WITH THE TRADIE WEB GUYS! Website: https://www.tradiewebguys.com.au/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TradieWebGuysOfficial?sub_confirmation=1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TradieWebGuysOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tradiewebguys/ LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/company/tradie-web-guys Matt’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamthemattj/  If you enjoyed this podcast, please take a moment to leave us a review: ⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below: ⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed #podcast #thesiteshed #tradiewebguys Your Next Step: Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies. 👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod Follow The Site Shed: Facebook: The Site ShedInstagram: @thesiteshedLinkedIn: Matt JonesWebsite: thesiteshed.comYouTube: @TheSiteShedIf you enjoyed this podcast and the series, please take 5 minutes to leave us a review: ⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below: ⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

🫱🏻‍🫲🏼 Book a Free Strategy Call with Tradie Web Guys If you are obsessing over CPA (cost per acquisition) in your plumbing business, you might be making decisions that hurt your long-term profit. In episode 490, Matt Jones sits down with Scott Irwin from Network Plumbing (Sydney) to break down why reactive trades like plumbing and electrical need to stop judging marketing only by short-term lead costs and start thinking in lifetime value (LTV). Key Chapters: 00:00 - Teaser 00:49 - Introduction and Scott's Background 03:32 - Defining Lifetime Value (LTV) 06:30 - Strategies for Long-term Customer Satisfaction 10:34 - Levers to Improve Customer Lifetime Value 12:35 - Business Growth and Evolving Marketing 14:58 - The Importance of Personal Relationships and Manners 17:21 - Training New Employees and Apprentices 21:14 - Practical Frameworks for Service Excellence 25:08 - Addressing Price Concerns with Value and Urgency 28:48 - Closing Thoughts and Future Episode Teaser Related Episodes: Episode 439 with Scott Irwin (Network Plumbing journey) Episode 440 with Scott Irwin (Designing your ideal life) CONNECT WITH SCOTT IRWIN Website: https://networkplumbing.com.au/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/networkplumbing Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/networktradies_/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/network-plumbing/ Scott’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-irwin-5b413a31/ CONNECT WITH THE TRADIE WEB GUYS! Website: https://www.tradiewebguys.com.au/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TradieWebGuysOfficial?sub_confirmation=1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TradieWebGuysOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tradiewebguys/ LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/company/tradie-web-guys Matt’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamthemattj/  Your Next Step: Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies. 👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod Follow The Site Shed: Facebook: The Site ShedInstagram: @thesiteshedLinkedIn: Matt JonesWebsite: thesiteshed.comYouTube: @TheSiteShedIf you enjoyed this podcast and the series, please take 5 minutes to leave us a review: ⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below: ⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

🎯 Free Tools for Growing Trade Businesses: https://tradie.wiki/pod 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼 Book a Free Strategy Call with Tradie Web Guys: https://tradie.wiki/tssyt If you feel like you’re flat out in your building business but the profit still doesn’t match the effort, this episode is for you. In Episode 489, Matt sits down with Greg Wilkes from Develop Coaching to unpack what actually separates a $1M builder from a $10M builder and the shift from being the best tradie on site to becoming the business leader who builds a team, installs simple systems, protects margins, and creates a pipeline that doesn’t rely on you doing everything. 🎥 Watch the video version of this podcast at: @TheSiteShed Key Chapters: 00:00 - Mindset Shift: Tradesperson to Entrepreneur 00:44 - Meet Greg Wilkes: Construction Industry Expert 01:10 - Scaling from $1 Million to $10 Million 04:47 - The Pitfall of High Net Profit (and Not Investing) 08:04 - Healthy Net Profit Margins for Builders 10:00 - The Myth of Staying on the Tools 16:43 - The Importance of Org Charts and Future Hiring 17:54 - Strategy for First Hires: Start Low with Admin/VA 24:17 - First Big Hire: The Site Supervisor 25:10 - The Business Owner's Focus: Marketing and Sales 27:19 - The Challenge of Systemizing and AI's Impact 33:46 - Systemizing for Leverage: Focus on Repeatable Tasks 38:54 - The Importance of Knowing Your Numbers 42:15 - Simplifying Financial Numbers for Builders 46:10 - Mapping Out a Plan for Growth: Job Value Over Volume 48:40 - How to Contact Greg Wilkes (Develop Coaching) 🎙️ About Our Guest: Greg Wilkes Greg Wilkes is a trade business coach at Develop Coaching, helping builders and tradies scale from being on the tools to running a profitable, systemised business. CONNECT WITH GREG WILKES Website: https://developcoaching.co.uk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greg.wilkes.coach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greg.wilkes.coach/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-wilkes/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DevelopCoaching Links mentioned: Develop Coaching (Australia): https://developcoaching.com.au/ Develop Coaching (UK): https://developcoaching.co.uk/ Free book download: Building Your Future: https://developcoaching.com.au/download-building-your-future/ CONNECT WITH THE TRADIE WEB GUYS! Website: https://www.tradiewebguys.com.au/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TradieWebGuysOfficial?sub_confirmation=1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TradieWebGuysOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tradiewebguys/ LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/company/tradie-web-guys Matt’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamthemattj/  Your Next Step: Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies. 👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod Follow The Site Shed: Facebook: The Site ShedInstagram: @thesiteshedLinkedIn: Matt JonesWebsite: thesiteshed.comYouTube: @TheSiteShedIf you enjoyed this podcast and the series, please take 5 minutes to leave us a review: ⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below: ⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

🎯 Free Tools for Growing Trade Businesses: https://tradie.wiki/pod 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼 Book a Free Strategy Call with Tradie Web Guys: https://tradie.wiki/tssyt If you have plenty of work booked in but you still feel broke, stressed, or behind on cash, this episode is for you. In Episode 488, Matt sits down with Kurt Hegeschweiler from Builders Coach to unpack the real reason tradies and builders get squeezed: you end up financing the job while you wait to get paid. You will learn how to stop bleeding cash, protect your margin, and set your business up so money comes in before it goes out. Key Chapters: 00:00 - Teaser 00:53 - Welcome to the podcast, Kurt! 01:26 - Kurt's background and specialty in helping builders with optimization and peak performance 06:05 - The preservation mindset of many accountants and bookkeepers 12:49 - The importance of having a plan in place 18:09 - Positioning yourself as the expert within your specific vertical 24:40 - Processes are essential for successfully scaling a business 31:15 - Kurt's simplified financial metrics: 25% Gross Margin, 10% Overheads, 15% Net Profit (25/10/15) 37:41 - The confusion between net profit and money in the bank 42:07 - Good process and proactive communication is a form of marketing and value-add 48:53 - The power of the Profit First business model for financial clarity 54:49 - A goal without a strategy is a wish 📲 Watch on YouTube! 🎙️ About Our Guest: Kurt Hegeschweiler Kurt Hegeschweiler is a business coach who works primarily with residential builders (custom homes and renovations) through Builders Coach. He's best known for helping builders optimise profit, cash flow, and performance, including guiding over 100 builders to seven-figure net profit results. CONNECT WITH KURT HEGESCHWEILER Website: Builder's Coach Instagram Facebook LinkedIn  Links mentioned in this episode: Million Dollar Builder 2.0 (Amazon and Audible): https://amzn.to/4pv6rd3 Psycho-Cybernetics: https://amzn.to/3LCOviK CONNECT WITH THE TRADIE WEB GUYS! Website: https://www.tradiewebguys.com.au/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TradieWebGuysOfficial?sub_confirmation=1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TradieWebGuysOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tradiewebguys/ LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/company/tradie-web-guys Matt’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamthemattj/  Your Next Step: Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies. 👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod Follow The Site Shed: Facebook: The Site ShedInstagram: @thesiteshedLinkedIn: Matt JonesWebsite: thesiteshed.comYouTube: @TheSiteShedIf you enjoyed this podcast and the series, please take 5 minutes to leave us a review: ⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below: ⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

🎯 Free Tools for Growing Trade Businesses: https://tradie.wiki/pod 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼 Book a Free Strategy Call with Tradie Web Guys: https://tradie.wiki/tssyt In Episode 487, Matt sits down with Jed Bolton, a Perth-based solar and electrical business owner who has quietly built a seriously scalable operation without obsessing over more leads. Jed shares how shifting from subcontractor-heavy work to a system-driven sales process helped him 10x revenue while keeping the team lean and the growth manageable. If you’re flat out, wearing every hat, and still feel like you’re chasing your tail, this episode is a blueprint for stepping back from lead chaos, tightening your process, and spending your time where it actually moves the needle (closing jobs and building the team). Key Chapters: 00:00 - Teaser 01:14 - Welcome Jed Bolton! 03:27 - Shift from predominantly subcontracting work to having leads 06:17 - Subcontracting work is just a job 09:11 - Customers often think they know what they want more than they actually do 13:00 - The first constraint hit is in fulfilment 15:38 - The value of the sales executive program 18:32 - Site visits should be for closing jobs, not checking out work 20:40 - Drive around closing jobs, not doing quotes 24:34 - The impact roadmap session 27:21 - The goal of consistency and manageable growth 28:33 - Final thoughts 📲 Watch on YouTube!  🎙 About Our Guest: Jed Bolton Jed Bolton is a Perth-based solar and electrical business owner who specialises in larger-scale residential solar installations (around 13 kW to 50 kW), as well as batteries and renewables. He built a scalable operation by tightening his sales process, focusing on close rate, and shifting from subcontractor-heavy work to a more system-driven model. CONNECT WITH JED BOLTON Website: https://boltonec.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bolton.ec/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552818021459 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jed-bolton-a21a1a300/ CONNECT WITH THE TRADIE WEB GUYS! Website: https://www.tradiewebguys.com.au/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TradieWebGuysOfficial?sub_confirmation=1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TradieWebGuysOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tradiewebguys/ LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/company/tradie-web-guys Matt’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamthemattj/  Your Next Step: Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies. 👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod Follow The Site Shed: Facebook: The Site ShedInstagram: @thesiteshedLinkedIn: Matt JonesWebsite: thesiteshed.comYouTube: @TheSiteShedIf you enjoyed this podcast and the series, please take 5 minutes to leave us a review: ⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below: ⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

🎯 Free Tools for Growing Trade Businesses: https://tradie.wiki/pod 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼 Book a Free Strategy Call with Tradie Web Guys: https://tradie.wiki/tssyt If you've established a strong trade business but it's beginning to feel repetitive, this episode offers a fresh start. In Episode 486, Matt sits down with Jeremiah Webb from Shop On Fire to unpack why the fire dies (even when the numbers look positive) and how you can get your energy, purpose, and momentum back without blowing up what you have already built. You will learn practical ways to snap out of the grind, stop feeling overwhelmed by everything on your plate, and lead with energy again so your team lifts too.  0:00 Teaser 1:14 Welcome and Jeremiah's Background 4:44 Reigniting Passion and Scaling Business 8:16 Fulfillment is Not Default: Manual vs. Autopilot 12:11 Staying Motivated and the Value of Habits over Goals 15:31 The Myth of Overwhelm: Being Stretched is Not More Than You Can Handle 17:28 The Importance of Foundational Grit and Pushing Limits 22:51 Great Athlete vs. Elite Athlete: Bouncing Back Faster 24:55 Reframing Failure as a Lesson 27:01 Recovery Time and Suffering is Optional 31:57 Framework for Moving Past Setbacks 35:08 Problems Never Go Away, They Increase in Quality 39:03 The Cure-All: Massive Action and the Physiology of Motivation 46:01 Defining Purpose and Maintaining Focus 47:37 Meetings Should be for Making Decisions 51:57 Sticking to Something and Steady Growth 55:42 Framework for Coaching Cadence and Levers for Change 58:31 VIP Coaching and the Window of Opportunity 📲 Listen On The Go! https://tradie.wiki/listen 🎙️ About Our Guest: Jeremiah Webb Jeremiah Webb is the founder of Shop On Fire and a high-performance coach who helps trade business owners rebuild energy, clarity, and momentum when the grind starts to take over. With a background in the trades (including HVAC) and years working with business owners, he shares practical frameworks you can use to lead better, feel better, and grow without burning out. CONNECT WITH JEREMIAH WEBB Website: https://shoponfire.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeremiahwebb.1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremiahwebb.official LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremiahwebb/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremiahwebb.official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jeremiahwebb.official Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jeremiahwebb CONNECT WITH THE TRADIE WEB GUYS! Website: https://www.tradiewebguys.com.au/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TradieWebGuysOfficial?sub_confirmation=1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TradieWebGuysOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tradiewebguys/ LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/company/tradie-web-guys Matt’s LinkedIn: https://www.lin Your Next Step: Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies. 👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod Follow The Site Shed: Facebook: The Site ShedInstagram: @thesiteshedLinkedIn: Matt JonesWebsite: thesiteshed.comYouTube: @TheSiteShedIf you enjoyed this podcast and the series, please take 5 minutes to leave us a review: ⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below: ⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

🎯 Free Tools for Growing Trade Businesses: https://tradie.wiki/pod 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼 Book a Free Strategy Call with Tradie Web Guys: https://tradie.wiki/tssyt It's no longer just fast food to franchise.  It could also be one of the best ways for tradies to grow without getting too tired. In this 485th episode of The Site Shed Podcast, Matt sits down with Jon Ostenson, CEO of FranBridge Consulting, to break down what franchising really looks like for trade and service-based businesses. If you’re stuck in the day-to-day, thinking about growth, or wondering how others scale using systems, people, and capital that aren’t all on their shoulders, this episode is a must-watch. In this episode, you’ll learn: ✔ The biggest myths tradies believe about franchising ✔ Franchise vs licensing vs alliance models (what’s the difference?) ✔ Why private equity is chasing trade & home service franchises ✔ When franchising actually makes sense (and when it doesn’t) Key Chapters: 0:00 - Teaser 1:12 - Discussing the dynamics of franchising and non-food franchising 6:04 - Reasons to consider a franchise model for an existing business 10:07 - Limitations and "red tape" of franchising 12:11 - Addressing the perception of increased cost for customers of franchises 15:15 - Expectations and systems within a franchise 17:31 - Legalities and approval around branding and marketing 19:09 - Digital marketing challenges for franchisees 23:21 - Backgrounds of people who join a franchise 25:26 - Support available for franchisees and their teams 27:13 - Choosing between buying an existing business and a new franchise 29:16 - Exit strategy and typical returns for a franchisee 31:49 - Ownership of intellectual property (IP) like customer databases 35:57 - John Austinen's book, *Non-Food Franchising* 38:13 - The typical avatar best suited to the franchise dynamic 📲 Listen On The Go! https://tradie.wiki/listen 🎙 About Our Guest: Jon Ostenson Jon Ostenson is a leading expert in non-food franchising and the founder of FranBridge Consulting, where he helps business owners scale through proven franchise models. He has collaborated with numerous entrepreneurs and trade professionals to establish scalable, systematised businesses, avoiding the need to start from the beginning. 🤝 CONNECT WITH JON OSTENSON Website: https://franbridgeconsulting.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JonOstenson1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.ostenson/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonostenson/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JonOstensonFBC CONNECT WITH THE TRADIE WEB GUYS! Website: https://www.tradiewebguys.com.au/ LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/company/tradie-web-guys Matt’s LinkedIn: https://www.lin Your Next Step: Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies. 👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod Follow The Site Shed: Facebook: The Site ShedInstagram: @thesiteshedLinkedIn: Matt JonesWebsite: thesiteshed.comYouTube: @TheSiteShedIf you enjoyed this podcast and the series, please take 5 minutes to leave us a review: ⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below: ⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

🎯 Free Tools To Help Your Business: https://tradie.wiki/pod 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼 Marketing For Your Business – Book A Call with Tradie Web Guys: https://tradie.wiki/yt In Episode 484 of The Site Shed Podcast, Matt Jones is joined by entrepreneur and investor Greg Cassar to break down one of the biggest questions tradies is starting to ask: is taking control of your super actually worth the extra work? Greg shares why many business owners unknowingly rely too heavily on their business or default super fund and how shifting from “business owner only” to “business owner + investor” can completely change your long-term freedom. This episode unpacks how superannuation really works, why set-and-forget isn’t always the best approach, and what tradies should understand before considering a self-managed super fund (SMSF). If you’re making good money but haven’t thought deeply about how it’s growing for your future, this conversation is a practical wake-up call; focused on control, education, and playing the long game. 🎥 Watch the video version of this podcast at: https://youtu.be/DxSzs1M8zNY Key Chapters: 00:00 – Teaser 04:40 – The trap of relying only on your business 08:10 – How inflation and fees eat away at super 12:10 – What a self-managed super fund really involves 16:40 – Thinking long-term instead of short-term gains 21:10 – Emotional control and investing discipline 25:40 – Playing the long game as a tradie 30:10 – Business owner vs business owner + investor 34:40 – Final mindset shifts for long-term freedom CONNECT WITH GREG CASSAR Website: https://collective.com.au Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gregcassar TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gregcassar YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@greg_cassar Your Next Step: Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies. 👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod Follow The Site Shed: Facebook: The Site ShedInstagram: @thesiteshedLinkedIn: Matt JonesWebsite: thesiteshed.comYouTube: @TheSiteShedIf you enjoyed this podcast and the series, please take 5 minutes to leave us a review: ⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below: ⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

🎯 Free Tools for Growing Trade Businesses: https://tradie.wiki/pod 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼 Book a Free Strategy Call with Tradie Web Guys: https://tradie.wiki/tssyt Most tradie business owners want great staff… But retaining them long-term is a whole different challenge. In this episode of The Site Shed Podcast, Matt sits down with Chris Buttenham, founder of Reins, to unpack a smarter way to reward and retain key team members, without giving away control of your business. They break down phantom equity, profit sharing, and incentive structures that help trade business owners: ✔️ Build loyalty ✔️ Align staff with business growth ✔️ Create real exit options ✔️ Avoid the risks of traditional equity If you’re struggling to keep good people, thinking about your long-term exit, or want your team to care about the numbers as much as you do, this episode is a must-watch. KEY CHAPTERS 00:00 – Teaser 02:00 – Meet Chris Buttenham & his contractor background 04:40 – Why exit planning is broken for most tradies 07:05 – Real stories: equity, private equity & staff buy-in 09:40 – What is phantom equity? 12:25 – Phantom equity vs real equity explained 15:15 – Using equity to retain and motivate key staff 18:35 – Vesting, performance rules & protecting the owner 23:45 – Equity vs profit share: what to use and when 28:25 – Transparency, numbers & educating your team 34:05 – How to set this up properly (and keep it simple) 38:55 – Where to learn more & final takeaways 📲 Listen On The Go! https://tradie.wiki/listen ABOUT OUR GUEST Chris Buttenham is the co-founder and CEO of Reins, a platform helping contractors reward and retain key staff through simple, low-risk equity incentives. With roots in a family contracting business and experience in tech and M&A, Chris specialises in making complex equity and exit strategies practical for trade business owners. CONNECT WITH CHRIS BUTTENHAM Website: https://www.myreins.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myreins Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reinstechnologies LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/myreins/ Your Next Step: Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies. 👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod Follow The Site Shed: Facebook: The Site ShedInstagram: @thesiteshedLinkedIn: Matt JonesWebsite: thesiteshed.comYouTube: @TheSiteShedIf you enjoyed this podcast and the series, please take 5 minutes to leave us a review: ⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below: ⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

🎯 Free Tools To Help Your Business: https://tradie.wiki/pod   🫱🏻‍🫲🏼 Marketing For Your Business – Learn More About Tradie Web Guys: https://tradie.wiki/yt   In Episode 482, Matt is joined by Claudio Gambin, a financial adviser and tax strategist who specialises in helping trade and construction business owners stop overpaying tax and start using smarter financial strategies.  If your accountant only speaks to you at tax time, pushes generic advice, or can’t explain how to legally reduce your effective tax rate, this episode will open your eyes. Claudio breaks down the most common tax red flags tradies miss, why being proactive matters more than minimising tax at all costs, and how to reinvest savings back into your business to fuel long-term growth.  This conversation goes beyond tax returns and dives into strategy, cash flow, scalability, and what actually makes a trade business bankable and sellable.  🎥 Watch the video version of this podcast at: https://youtu.be/8bLf7qGbibM   Key Chapters:  00:00 – The tax questions tradies should be asking  01:10 – Why most tradies overpay tax  03:54 – The best investment is your business (not more assets)  08:41 – Why reinvesting profit is tax-effective  10:00 – Proactive tax planning explained  15:08 – Depreciation, leverage & overlooked tax wins  18:04 – The 3 golden questions for your accountant  21:20 – Using tax savings to fuel growth  24:45 – Eliminating lifestyle expenses from your business  28:13 – What makes a trade business sellable  38:05 – Strategy, time, and staying proactive   Links mentioned in this episode:  GFG Solutions: https://gfgsolutions.com/ Claudio on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claudgambin/   Connect With Claudio Gambin:  Website: https://gfgsolutions.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claudgambin/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/claudio.gambin/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiogambin Your Next Step: Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies. 👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod Follow The Site Shed: Facebook: The Site ShedInstagram: @thesiteshedLinkedIn: Matt JonesWebsite: thesiteshed.comYouTube: @TheSiteShedIf you enjoyed this podcast and the series, please take 5 minutes to leave us a review: ⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below: ⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

🎯 Free Tools for Growing Trade Businesses: https://tradie.wiki/pod 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼 Book a Free Strategy Call with Tradie Web Guys: https://tradie.wiki/tssyt With online ads becoming noisier, more expensive, and harder to trust, many trade business owners are rediscovering the power of physical, personalised marketing that actually gets noticed. In Episode 481 of The Site Shed Podcast, Matt Jones sits down with Wilson Zehr, direct mail and marketing automation expert from Zairmail, to unpack why direct mail is making a serious comeback for tradies in 2026 and why relying on digital-only marketing may be hurting your conversions. This episode is packed with real-world examples, practical frameworks, and clear do’s and don’ts for using direct mail alongside digital marketing to win more local jobs, improve follow-up, and stand out in crowded markets, so make sure to listen until the end! Key Chapters: 00:00 - Teaser 02:43 - Meet Wilson Zehr: From Software Engineer to Strategic Marketing 06:17 - The Nike Success Story and Why *Shoe Dog* is a Must-Read 08:52 - From Surfboards to Zairmail (Mail as Fast as Email) 12:26 - The "Junk Mail" Flip: Why Direct Mail Breaks the Digital Noise 15:04 - Marketing as a Mechanic (Direct Mail & Digital) 17:42 - Building Communication into the American Routine 20:30 - The 70/20/10 Rule (The Ultimate Direct Response Formula) 24:43 - Segmenting Voters for Overwhelming Success 27:32 - Proximity Mail: The Best Way for Home Service Businesses to Target Geographically 30:40 - Case Study or Offer, How Real Estate Agents Use Mail? 33:41 - Avoid the Shotgun Approach (Hyper-Personalization is Key) 36:25 - Why You Need to Be Remembered Before Disaster Strikes 39:34 - The Power of Fridge Magnets and Referral Stickers 43:56 - Scaling Past Word-of-Mouth 47:37 - Why Monthly Newsletters Beat Unreliable Email Deliverability 50:23 - Nurturing Leads with Email, SMS, and Direct Mail 53:24 - Direct Mail Best Practices 56:24 - Keep Messages Short and Drive Traffic to Video 1:00:33 - Your Website is Your Credibility 📲 Watch the video version! https://youtu.be/03B4nwRFBLM CONNECT WITH WILSON ZEHR Website: https://www.zairmail.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wilsonzehr/ Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/wilson.zehr Facebook (Business): https://www.facebook.com/Zairmail/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilsonzehr CONNECT WITH THE TRADIE WEB GUYS! Website: https://www.tradiewebguys.com.au/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TradiewebguysAus Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TradieWebGuysOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tradiewebguys/ LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/company/tradie-web-guys Matt’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamthemattj/  Your Next Step: Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies. 👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod Follow The Site Shed: Facebook: The Site ShedInstagram: @thesiteshedLinkedIn: Matt JonesWebsite: thesiteshed.comYouTube: @TheSiteShedIf you enjoyed this podcast and the series, please take 5 minutes to leave us a review: ⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below: ⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed