Too many tradies burn out trying to be everything at once – accountant, lawyer, marketer, and still a hands-on business owner – and it’s costing them time, money, and growth. 

The smartest operators build a “power team” of professionals who protect their business, unlock opportunity, and keep them focused on what they do best. 

There are two layers of support every growing trades business needs: trusted advisors (accountant, financial planner, solicitor, coach) and go-to specialists (brokers, marketers, IT, industry bodies). 

Together, they help you stay compliant, plan ahead, and avoid costly mistakes, and you gain clarity and confidence to make better decisions. Start by auditing who’s already in your corner, fill the gaps, and upgrade where needed. 

In this episode you’ll learn: 

🔨 Surround yourself with experts so you can play to your strengths. 
🔨 The right power team turns chaos into clarity and confidence. 
🔨 Invest in advice now to unlock massive future growth and freedom. 
🔨 Upgrade your team as you grow – loyalty shouldn’t limit your opportunities. 
🔨 Free advice from poor sources is often the most expensive mistake. 
🔨 Audit your current crew, fill the gaps, and leverage expert support. 

… Book a free Strategy Session to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life: www.strategysession.com.au 

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or  https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When something goes wrong in your business, what’s your first reaction? Do you spiral into self-doubt, or ask yourself what you can learn from this? That instant response reveals your mindset …and it’s either propelling your business forward or holding it back. 

Today, we dive into one of the most powerful concepts in business psychology: fixed versus growth mindset. It’s not just theory. It’s the reason some business owners thrive while others stay stuck. 

We unpack how your mindset impacts your skills, resilience, relationships and results – and what to do about it if you’re serious about changing your trajectory.

In this episode you’ll learn: 

🔨 Your mindset shapes how you respond to setbacks, challenges, and criticism. 
🔨 Mindset isn’t binary – you can be fixed in one area, growth in another. 
🔨 Feedback isn’t personal – it’s information to help you level up and grow. 
🔨 Setbacks aren’t proof you’ve failed; they’re data to guide your next move. 
🔨 Language like “I can’t” or “I’m not good” reveals mindset traps. 
🔨 Shifting from fixed to growth starts with awareness of your inner dialogue. 

… Book a free Strategy Session to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life: www.strategysession.com.au 

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone’s chasing shortcuts. Biohacks, crash diets, money tricks, overnight success schemes – you name it. We live in a world addicted to instant results and allergic to doing the work. But here’s the truth: sustainable success doesn’t come from silver bullets. It comes from boring, repeatable habits done over time – when no one’s watching, and when it’s not exciting. 

We dismantle the fantasy of quick fixes and explore why hacks rarely stick. Instead, we make the case for building habits that last – one at a time, over time. You’ll hear how our most successful clients have transformed their lives, not by doing more, but by doing less—consistently. 

So, if you’re tired of chasing your tail, starting over, or falling for shiny promises that don’t deliver, this one’s for you. 

In this episode you’ll learn:  
🔨 Sustainable success is built on consistent habits repeated over long periods. 
🔨 Most people want results now but avoid doing the actual hard work. 
🔨 The promise of a shortcut is tempting but ultimately unsatisfying. 
🔨 Habits are unconscious patterns that define who you become over time. 
🔨 Transformation comes from process, not motivation or instant gratification hacks. 
🔨 True progress means committing to one habit at a time, consistently.  

… Book a free Strategy Session to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life: www.strategysession.com.au 

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’re still doing tasks you hate – or just plain suck at – you’re not building a business, you’re babysitting one. In this episode, we dig into why so many trade business owners get stuck doing low-value tasks, and how that mindset of “I’ll just do it myself” is silently sabotaging your growth. 

You’ll learn to identify what you need to shed, how to calculate the real cost of doing everything yourself, and why delegating smart doesn’t mean hiring expensive. This one’s for anyone buried in admin, chasing invoices at night, or running to suppliers just to keep things moving. 

It’s time to stop confusing busy with productive and start focusing on what actually grows the business – your strengths. Let this be the switch-flip moment. 

In this episode you’ll learn: 
🔨 Stop doing low-value tasks and start focusing on your core strengths. 
🔨 Delegating isn’t expensive – it’s smart and frees up high-value time. 
🔨 Business owners confuse busyness with progress and stall their own growth. 
🔨 You don’t have a time problem, you have a priority problem. 
🔨 Hiring well creates leverage, not a loss of control. 
🔨 Opportunity cost is real – your time has measurable value, so use it wisely. 

… Book a free Strategy Session to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life: www.strategysession.com.au 

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if you could grow your trades business and get your life back? 

Matt Ryan has lived through the grind, hit the glass ceiling, but refused to stay stuck. From launching his electrical business, MTR Electrical Solutions, straight after his apprenticeship, to finally building a team and systems that allow him to take a month off with his family – Matt’s story is raw, real, and relatable. 

If you’ve ever felt like your business is running you instead of the other way around, or you’re wondering if there’s a better way to scale without burning out, you’ll get a lot from this episode. 

In this episode you’ll learn: 

🔨 Breaking the million-dollar ceiling requires new systems, structure, and mindset shifts. 
🔨 Profitability, not revenue, should be the north star for business growth. 
🔨 Letting go of control unlocks team potential and business scalability. 
🔨 Open communication at home improves both family life and business clarity. 
🔨 Mindset growth is essential for leadership and personal development. 
🔨 Taking extended time off is possible with the right structure. 

… Book a free Strategy Session to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life: www.strategysession.com.au 

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every growing business reaches a fork in the road — the moment where doing it all yourself no longer works. You either slide back into old habits or step forward into the awkward world of management. 

It’s uncomfortable. It’s unfamiliar. And it’s the make-or-break zone where confidence can vanish. What once felt natural — being on the tools, problem-solving on the fly — is replaced with the need to build systems, lead people, and manage through others. That’s where many stumble. But those who lean in, who embrace the suck, unlock real leverage. 

Today, we unpack the messy transition from tradesperson to team builder — and why learning to lead is the real trade of the future.

In this episode you’ll learn: 

🔨 Confidence often drops as business owners move away from hands-on work. 
🔨 Soft skills like communication and leadership become essential for scaling up. 
🔨 Poor management shows up as sloppy standards and unclear team roles. 
🔨 Building a strong team requires letting go of being the “hero.” 
🔨 Embracing discomfort is the only path to becoming a better leader. 
🔨 Management is the hidden multiplier that glues business growth together. 

We mention episode 66 and 67 on having Difficult Conversations, you can listen here: 

Episode 66: Difficult Conversations PART 1: Why avoiding them costs you more: https://open.spotify.com/episode/68yZtrWeu1et8dfSWRP7CQ?si=710666dcdc074357 

Episode 67: Difficult Conversations PART 2: Delivering hard messages with confidence: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6QmMiuvAKcbh7cc9uJHarp?si=7584adad0798469d 

… Book a free Strategy Session to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life: www.strategysession.com.au 

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden  

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Revenue, gross profit, overheads, and net profit—four numbers that reveal the true story of a business. 

Hidden in plain sight on the profit and loss statement, they show more than what’s in the bank. They uncover what’s been earned, what’s been spent, and what’s really left over. 

In this episode, we break down each number, why it matters, and how it connects to the others. Because knowing them isn’t optional – it’s essential. These figures drive pricing, resourcing, and strategy. Ignore them, and the business runs blind. Master them, and decision-making becomes sharper, faster, smarter. 

In this episode you’ll learn: 

🔨 Know your gross profit percentage to guide pricing and scalability decisions. 
🔨 Overheads quietly grow – track them before they suffocate your bottom line. 
🔨 Net profit is the ultimate test of viability, not just survival. 
🔨 The P&L isn’t history – it’s a decision-making tool for the future. 
🔨 Ignoring numbers leads to chaos; understanding them drives control and clarity. 
🔨 Wages keep you working, while profits help you build wealth and fund freedom. 

We mention episode 58, another Money Matters episode, about sloppy spending killing your profits. Hear here: 
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0n8cY0VCyX3TG3XOxklUGn?si=pI7dQ7kyRCGqO2yY6DIpWg 

… Book a free Strategy Session to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life: www.strategysession.com.au 

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every trade business hits that moment – around the million-dollar mark. Suddenly the cracks show – time’s tight, you’re torn between the job and your family, and something’s got to give. 

It’s the fork in the road we see time and time again. One path keeps you on the tools — safe, familiar, in control. 

The other? You step back, build structure, lead a team, and grow something bigger than yourself. 

Neither path is wrong. But the danger is staying stuck in between. 

In this episode, we unpack both roads — the trade-off between certainty and scale, freedom and familiarity, and what it really takes to transition from doing the work to leading the business. 

Whether you’re ready to stay hands-on or take that next leap, the key is this: stop sitting on the fence. It’s time to decide — and then commit to building your future.

In this episode you’ll learn:

🔨 Staying on the tools offers control, but caps growth and freedom. 
🔨 Stepping off the tools demands new skills, identity, and leadership mindset. 
🔨 You can’t grow a business while stuck on-site every single day. 
🔨 Both paths are hard – you just need to pick one. 
🔨 Transitioning requires structure, margin, and the right ground crew beneath you. 
🔨 You can’t fake commitment – make your choice and back it fully. 

We mention our episode with Anthony Rentzis and his experience with coaching. Listen to Episode 9 on The Trade Den:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/2t5zWDXSmGiV6MwUNDrm5S?si=nLX0x6zXSrCVjXje9q_8Jg 

… Book a free Strategy Session to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life: www.strategysession.com.au 

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when a builder rediscovers his spark? In this episode, we unpack the five-year transformation of Andrew Debono – from running on fumes in a labour-hire grind to building a thriving, purpose-driven business in residential construction. 

Burnt out and losing passion, Andrew knew something had to change. With guidance, grit and a commitment to growth, he reshaped his business, rebuilt his team, and shifted into a leadership role that reignited his love for the trade. 

Along the way, he also reclaimed his health, his time, and his presence with family. 

Now leading a team of 13 with an eight-month pipeline, Andrew reflects on the power of saying no, the value of coaching, and how the right people can supercharge a business.

In this episode you’ll learn: 

🔨 Saying yes to everything nearly broke the business and burned Andrew out. 
🔨 Rediscovering passion meant leaving commercial work and returning to residential projects. 
🔨 Coaching showed Andrew how to transition strategically, not recklessly. 
🔨 Building the right team required letting go of the wrong people. 
🔨 Health, family time, and mindset shifted alongside business transformation. 
🔨 Clarity came from defining values and aligning the business accordingly. 

… Book a free Strategy Session to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life: www.strategysession.com.au 

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leadership isn’t just about running a business. It’s about how you show up – every day, through the chaos, the pressure, the wins and the setbacks. 

In this episode, we start with a mirror test. Because how you think you lead and how your team experiences your leadership can be two very different things. 

Are you bringing clarity or just adding commentary? Do your people feel supported or second-guessed? Energised – or constantly on edge? 

Three traits separate great leaders from the rest: clarity, consistency, and accountability. We’ll help you spot where the cracks might be showing, and give you simple ways to lift your standard – without adding more to your plate. 

In this episode you’ll learn: 
🔨 Great leadership starts with self-awareness and understanding how you truly show up. 
🔨 Mood swings and double standards are signs of weak, inconsistent leadership. 
🔨 Accountability begins with you before you can expect it from your team. 
🔨 A team mirrors the energy, standards, and tone set by its leader. 
🔨 Mixed messages lead to uncertainty and poor performance across the board. 
🔨 Leadership is a daily practice, not something you switch on and off. 

… Book a free Strategy Session to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life: www.strategysession.com.au 

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Difficult conversations are never fun. But they’re unavoidable if you’re running a business and leading a team. The real skill isn’t just having the conversation, it’s knowing how to have it without blowing things up, shutting people down, or leaving things unresolved. 

This is the second of a two-part series. While last episode focused on preparation, this one is all about execution.  We walk you through our CLIP framework, so that you know exactly what to say, how to say it, and how to make sure the message lands – whether it’s about safety, performance, attitude, or anything in between.

In this episode you’ll learn: 

🔨 Starting with intent helps lower defensiveness and builds trust early. 
🔨 Asking open questions draws people in and tests self-awareness. 
🔨 Avoid generalisations and focus on specific behaviours, not personalities. 
🔨 Let them speak – insight invites responsibility and encourages personal growth. 
🔨 Highlighting real-world consequences makes the issue tangible and memorable. 
🔨 Gaining commitment at the end ensures clarity, ownership, and forward momentum. 

… Book a free Strategy Session to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life: www.strategysession.com.au 

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let’s face it – no one starts a business dreaming of tough talks, awkward silences, or calling out bad attitudes. But as your team grows, so does the need for courageous conversations. 

Whether it’s pulling someone up on poor performance, tackling toxic behaviour, or confronting safety breaches head-on –this is where real leadership shows up. 

We dive into the art and science of difficult conversations – why they matter, what’s at stake if you avoid them, and how to handle them without torching your culture or losing sleep. 

These aren’t the skills you learned on the tools, but they’re the ones that will make or break your business. They’re so important that we’ve broken this into two episodes. 

In this episode you’ll learn:
🔨 Poor performance must be addressed early to prevent long-term cultural damage. 
🔨 Behaviour and attitude issues can quickly undermine team morale and standards. 
🔨 Safety breaches demand immediate, well-handled conversations to protect everyone involved. 
🔨 Avoidance creates resentment, confusion, and a toxic workplace environment over time. 
🔨 Preparation is key—gather facts, remove emotion, and clarify your desired outcome. 
🔨 Choosing the right place sets the tone for a productive conversation. 

… Book a free Strategy Session to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life: www.strategysession.com.au 

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

True growth in business often starts with personal transformation. By facing his own struggles head-on, from burnout to self-doubt, Shaun Bates became a stronger leader, husband, and father, proving that the most powerful changes happen from the inside out. 

Shaun opens up about the messy, honest road to building Elk Electrical into a thriving Gold Coast trade business. He shares how coaching helped him stop drowning in admin, build his ground crew, and gain the confidence to step off the tools. 

But more than that, Shaun reflects on the personal battles; at home, alcohol and substance habits, and identity evolution, that quietly shaped his journey as a man and a business owner. 

In this episode you’ll learn: 

🔨 Growth in business only happens when you grow personally as well. 
🔨 Struggling at home and work doesn’t mean you’re failing, it’s feedback. 
🔨 Hiring admin was the turning point that freed Shaun to lead. 
🔨 Alcohol felt like a release but was silently holding everything back. 
🔨 Coaching gave Shaun structure, self-belief and the tools to scale sustainably. 
🔨 You can’t outgrow your problems if you’re not willing to face them. 

… Book a free Strategy Session to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life: www.strategysession.com.au 

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or  https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mitch Copp is your classic trades business owner story – working long hours, managing a small team, juggling jobs, admin at night, until burnout kicked in.

Mitch knew something had to give. That’s when he swapped long hours for long-term thinking – and started the real work: becoming a business owner.

Fast forward to today – Mitch leads a thriving team, has moved out of his home office and into a full functioning warehouse, and is setting the pace in high-end residential construction.

Because as Mitch discovered, it’s not just about getting off the tools – it’s about building something that works without you. 

In this episode you’ll learn: 
🔨 You can’t grow if you’re stuck on the tools every day. 
🔨 Saying no to work is sometimes the smartest move you’ll make. 
🔨 Leadership isn’t natural – it’s built through discomfort, practice, and accountability. 
🔨 Working from home is convenient – until it holds your business back. 
🔨 Burnout isn’t a badge of honour, it’s a business model failing. 
🔨 Habits, not hacks, are what changes how you lead and live. 

… Book a free Strategy Session to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life: www.strategysession.com.au 

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grit is a word that gets thrown around a lot. But what does it really mean? Is it about pushing harder, grinding longer, or just stubbornly refusing to quit? Not exactly. In this episode, we break down two types of grit—one that propels you forward and another that drags you into the ground. 

True grit is sustained passion, perseverance, and consistent action toward long-term goals. But there’s a dark side – what we call “dumb grit”. That’s the exhausting cycle of pushing forward without strategy, ignoring feedback, and mistaking stubbornness for strength. 

If you’re feeling stuck, it might not be a lack of grit – it may well be the wrong kind. We’ll unpack what smart grit looks like, how to recalibrate after a setback, and why courage is the missing ingredient.

In this episode you’ll learn: 

🔨 Grit isn’t just about pushing harder – it’s about pushing smarter. 
🔨 Passion fuels the fire, but perseverance and action keep it burning. 
🔨 Without smart grit, you’re just taking hits without making progress. 
🔨 Stubbornness isn’t strength if it keeps you stuck in the same place. 
🔨 Success isn’t about avoiding pain; it’s about acting despite it. 
🔨 Hard work alone won’t cut it – strategy and adaptability matter.

… Book a free Strategy Session to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life: www.strategysession.com.au 

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stepping off the tools and into management? It’s a whole new game. Suddenly, you’re not just a tradie – you’re a leader. And that means handling an avalanche of calls, decisions, and problems, all while keeping your ground crew productive and your business moving. 

Today, we’re giving you a simple playbook to cut through the chaos. It’s all about three words: Wins, Flags, and Roadblocks. This system helps you process information fast, make decisions with clarity, and keep momentum high without drowning in problems. 

This approach will transform how you manage your team – and your time. Because the bigger your business gets, the more overwhelming it can feel… unless you’ve got the right tools to handle it. 

In this episode you’ll learn: 
🔨 Celebrating wins boosts morale, reinforces progress, and strengthens a positive team culture. 
🔨 Flags act as early warning signs to prevent small issues from becoming major problems. 
🔨 Identifying, addressing, and preventing roadblocks ensures smooth operations, productivity, and business growth. 
🔨 Training and mentorship help teams handle solution roadblocks with confidence. 
🔨 Anticipating resource needs prevents last-minute delays and keeps projects on track. 
🔨 Empowering teams with clear processes reduces roadblocks and improves overall business efficiency. 

… Book a free Strategy Session to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life: www.strategysession.com.au 

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a fine line between building your business and jeopardising the relationship with your loved ones. We see two extreme habits that can quietly wreck your personal life when business talk follows you home. 

On one end, there’s the Withdrawal Reflex – shutting down, bottling up stress, and leaving your partner completely in the dark. She starts feeling disconnected, and before you know it, her silence speaks louder than words. 

On the other end, there’s Open All Hours Syndrome – where every dinner, every car ride, and even quiet moments in front of the TV turn into a never-ending business meeting. 

We’ve been guilty of both, and we’ve coached countless business owners through the same struggles. We unpack how to avoid these traps and find a healthy middle ground, so your business thrives without your relationship paying the price. 

In this episode you’ll learn: 

🔨 Running a business can create tension at home if conversations aren’t managed well. 
🔨 Small, intentional updates help maintain open communication without emotional overload. 
🔨 Asking for permission before discussing business can prevent unexpected stress for your partner. 
🔨 Being clear on whether you need advice or just a listening ear makes conversations more effective. 
🔨 Reading the room and choosing the right time for business talk improves how discussions are received. 
🔨 A business should enhance your family life, not come at its expense. 

… Book a free Strategy Session to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life: www.strategysession.com.au 

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You have a momentous decision to make: you’ve been offered a massive and lucrative job contract. Your gut says, “Go for it!” But wait – are you seeing the full picture? 

Some charge in headfirst, convinced it’s the golden ticket. Others hesitate, overwhelmed by potential risks. But here’s the thing: great decisions aren’t just about gut instinct or playing it safe. They’re about balancing the equation – weighing the upside against the risks and checking your natural bias before making the call. 

We break down the five key questions that will help you make clear, confident, and strategic decisions – the kind that grow your business without blowing it up: 

1. How am I going to fund it? 
2. How am I going to resource it? 
3. How am I going to operationally deliver it? 
4. What’s the risk to my future pipeline? 
5. Have I earned the right to take this on? 

In this episode you’ll learn: 
🔨 Trusting your gut is good, but strategic thinking prevents costly mistakes. 
🔨 Big opportunities can grow your business or break it – assess them carefully. 
🔨 Always check your natural bias before making high-stakes business decisions.  
🔨 Ask yourself: Have I truly earned the right to take this on? 
🔨 Growth requires funding – ensure you can afford expansion before committing. 
🔨 Poor resourcing can destroy profit margins – plan labour needs before accepting large jobs. 
🔨 Operational strain from big projects can derail your entire business. 
🔨 Ignoring your future pipeline today can leave you struggling tomorrow. 
🔨 Strategic decision-making builds sustainable success, not just one good year. 

… If you want help with your own decision making why not book a free Strategy Session to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life?: www.strategysession.com.au 

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Confidence is the silent force behind every decision you make, every action you take, and ultimately, every result you create. But here’s the kicker—most people think confidence comes first, when in reality, it’s built through action. 

Think about it – how many times have you hesitated on a big move, waiting to “feel” confident before taking the leap? The truth is, confidence isn’t something you wait for – it’s something you create. 

In this episode, we dive deep into how confidence shapes your decisions, drives your actions, and determines your success. We break down the four key strategies that help you build unshakable confidence –so you can stop waiting and start taking action.

In this episode you’ll learn: 

🔨 Confidence isn’t something you wait for – it’s something you create through action. 
🔨 Taking action builds confidence; hesitation fuels fear, doubt, and missed opportunities. 
🔨 Celebrating small wins strengthens belief in your ability to succeed. 
🔨 Positive self-talk shapes your mindset, behaviour, and ultimately, your results. 
🔨 Surrounding yourself with confident people helps reinforce your own confidence. 
🔨 Fear and doubt shrink when you take consistent, deliberate steps forward. 
🔨 Confidence grows when you push through discomfort and embrace challenges. 
🔨 Every confident person started as a beginner who took the first step. 
🔨 Your environment either fuels your confidence or erodes it – choose wisely. 

… Book a free Strategy Session to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life: www.strategysession.com.au 

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For many business owners, being busy isn’t just a reality – it’s a status symbol. 

Ask any tradie how business is going, and you’ll hear: “Mate, flat out! Non-stop. Can’t keep up.” And there’s a certain pride in that. Like if you’re not run off your feet, you mustn’t be doing well enough. 

But here’s the uncomfortable truth: Busyness isn’t a business strategy. If you’re drowning in work, stretched thin, and never moving forward, is that really success? 

Today, we’re challenging the idea that exhaustion equals achievement. Because the most successful business owners aren’t the busiest—they’re the smartest with their time. 

In this episode you’ll learn: 

🔨 Being busy doesn’t mean you’re successful—it just means you’re occupied. 
🔨 Wearing busyness as a badge of honour won’t grow your business. 
🔨 Success isn’t about working harder; it’s about working smarter and prioritising. 
🔨 Delegation and systems create freedom—busyness keeps you trapped in the grind. 
🔨 The most successful business owners protect their time, not just fill it. 
🔨 Urgency is always available, but it won’t build a sustainable business. 
🔨 Exhaustion is not a strategy—it’s a sign of inefficiency. 
🔨 More hours don’t equal more success; smarter decisions do. 
🔨 True business growth comes from leverage, not just relentless effort. 

We mentioned our chat with Jack Whiting, who in the beginning had to work long hours to prove to his clients he could do the job. Listen here 🎧  https://open.spotify.com/episode/3OYzhF12hGWoQXGH1GjiLG?si=vvUELDXGTsGeic-A2qrbSA 

We spoke about the concept of ‘What’s Important Now’ (W.I.N.), which we expand on in episode 12. Listen here 🎧  https://open.spotify.com/episode/3OYzhF12hGWoQXGH1GjiLG?si=vvUELDXGTsGeic-A2qrbSA 

… Book a free Strategy Session to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life: www.strategysession.com.au 

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’re hustling hard, winning jobs, growing your business. But somehow, at the end of the month, there’s barely anything left in the bank. 

Overheads have a sneaky way of growing with your business – more subscriptions, more admin, more non-billable costs are quietly eating away at your bottom line. Like Benjamin Franklin said, a small leak will sink a great ship. 

The good news is you can stop the leaks before they sink you. 

In this episode, we’re tackling a silent profit killer – sloppy spending. The kind that drains thousands from your business, often without you even noticing. 

In this episode you’ll learn: 

🔨 Bigger revenue doesn’t always mean bigger profits – watch for hidden expenses. 
🔨 Regularly auditing your overheads helps prevent unnecessary financial waste. 
🔨 Sloppy spending can hurt cash flow more than a lack of sales. 
🔨 Not every expense contributes to revenue or efficiency – question each one. 
🔨 Big-dogging and “shiny fleet syndrome” often disguise unnecessary business costs. 
🔨 Cutting overheads boosts profitability faster than just increasing sales. 
🔨 Always ask if an expense is necessary or just a vanity purchase. 
🔨 Running lean and mean ensures long-term financial success in your business. 

… Book a free Strategy Session to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life: www.strategysession.com.au 

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At 15, Jack Whiting was already climbing rooftops. By 23, he had his own company. Sounds like a dream, right? Not quite. 

Between juggling cash flow nightmares, being underestimated as a young gun, and working ridiculous hours just to stay afloat, Jack learned the hard way that hustle alone wasn’t enough. He had to face another kind of “apprenticeship” …as a serious business owner. 

Now he’s leading a team, navigating fatherhood, and even voluntarily wearing a proper business shirt! 

As many business owners discover, putting down the tools can be the toughest job.

In this episode you’ll learn: 

🔨 Hard work alone won’t grow a business—smart management makes the difference. 
🔨 Leadership isn’t about doing everything; it’s about empowering the right people. 
🔨 Scaling a business means trading long hours for strategic decision-making. 
🔨 Cash flow issues can break you faster than a tough day on-site. 
🔨 A clear vision keeps the team motivated and moving in the same direction. 
🔨 Delegating feels unnatural at first, but it’s the key to real growth. 
🔨 Running a business is a constant balance between control and letting go. 
🔨 Success isn’t just about profit—it’s about building a sustainable, thriving business. 

Check out Jack’s Flowright Plumbing Solutions: 
https://www.flowrightplumbingsolutions.com/ 

… Book a free Strategy Session to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life: www.strategysession.com.au 

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Struggling business? Missed deadlines? Sloppy work? A disengaged team? Who’s to blame? Most point fingers at their crew. “They don’t care. They don’t listen. I just can’t find good people.” Sound familiar?

But what if the real issue isn’t them... it’s you? 

The shift from being on the tools to leading the business is one of the most pivotal moments in any tradesperson’s journey. 

Many skilled tradespeople build successful businesses based on their technical expertise, but to scale and achieve sustainable growth, they must evolve into effective leaders. 

Stepping away from the tools doesn’t mean losing control — it means leading with purpose. It requires trust in your team, clear communication, and a commitment to personal growth. 

The best trades businesses aren’t built on one person’s hard work alone—they thrive when a strong leader builds, supports, and drives the team forward. 

In this episode you’ll learn: 

🔨 Stepping away from the tools is essential for business growth and scalability. 
🔨 Leadership is about strategy, vision, and team empowerment, not just technical skills. 
🔨 A business reliant on one person will always have a growth ceiling. 
🔨 Strong leadership builds a self-sufficient team that performs without constant supervision. 
🔨 Culture, accountability, and performance are all driven by leadership, not just hard work. 
🔨 Trusting your team allows you to delegate, scale, and reduce burnout. 
🔨 Growth happens when leaders prioritise systems, strategy, and long-term business success. 
🔨 Empowering employees creates a culture of responsibility, engagement, and high performance. 
🔨 If you don’t evolve as a leader, your business will stay stuck. 

We the book we mention in the beginning is Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin https://amzn.asia/d/hbtPRRk 

… Book a free Strategy Session to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life: www.strategysession.com.au 

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join us as we relive the energy, connection, and clarity that came out of Pravar’s recent Lifestyle Mastermind & Awards event on Hamilton Island. We celebrated the real growth – both personal and professional – of the best trades business owners in the country. 

For those of you who weren’t in the room, today’s episode is the next best thing. You’ll hear about the awards, the heroes’ journeys, the big moments, and a few surprises too – including fireworks and a hot seat session that’s been years in the making. 

It’s more than an awards night. It’s a moment to reflect, to reconnect, and to recharge. 

This year, we gave out 5 of our coveted awards: 

👉The Community Award was given to Adrian Kowal of Kowelec Electrical. He has been with us for 5 years and has a heart of gold for every single guy in the group. Always there to support others after he himself experienced life-changing support from the group when he needed it. Listen to his episode (Ep49) here:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/3O033OrjbYCDq73NhZ4rm3 

👉The Bevan Award was given to Mitch Copp of Copper Electrical. He went from chaos and confusion to living a life of integration, where each area of his life is enabling growth and expansion. Listen to his episode (Ep65) here:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/3r6KUtAfxfe5Rm480JLmiS 

👉 The Transformation Award was given to Frank Virtu of RFV Property Services. He went from working 60-80 hour weeks to hiring a team, getting an office, quitting smoking, showing up for his kids events, taking a 6-week holiday to Italy and being in the healthiest version of himself yet. Listen to his episode (Ep43) here:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/4oOtC35ImTllZzZ1EVOz9m 

👉The Breakthrough Award was given to Grant Hateley from Hateley Construct. He saw a mindset, leadership and business breakthrough in the last 12 months that took him to a $1.36M net turnaround and now calls himself “the confident businessman” now. 

👉 The Excellence Award was given to Gerard Ryan from Rycon Construction. He didn’t settle for being complacent and buckled down to go from $3.5M in revenue to $14.6M in revenue, cleaning up at the Queensland Master Builder Awards, getting out of debt and being a role model to his kids. 

Congratulations guys! 

… Book a free Strategy Session to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life: www.strategysession.com.au 

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden 

Find out more about Pravar Group at  www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many business owners fall into the trap of hiring first and building processes later, creating misaligned roles, frustration, and wasted resources. 

We introduce the ‘Scale Team, Not Time’ framework, a strategic approach to growing your business by focusing on three key elements: position, people, and process, in that specific order. 

It’s important to define roles clearly, recruit effectively, and develop processes that empower your team and business to grow sustainably.  

In this episode you’ll learn: 
🔨 Hiring without clear roles creates chaos, complexity, and unnecessary frustration. 
🔨 The right strategic order: define the position, find the person, build processes. 
🔨 Unicorn hires are rare, expensive, and unreliable for long-term business success. 
🔨 Hiring generalists leads to mistakes; match skills with clearly defined roles. 
🔨 Business growth fails without structure; always restructure before scaling further. 
🔨 Successful recruitment starts with understanding your business needs, not rushing to hire. 
🔨 Position clarity and strategic hiring prevent burnout and drive long-term profitability. 

… Book a free Strategy Session to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life: www.strategysession.com.au 

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or  https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever find yourself sitting at the dinner table, surrounded by family, but totally checked out? It’s easy to get caught in the hustle and lose the moments that truly matter. Being present isn’t about showing up physically—it’s about showing up fully. Quality over quantity. Real connection over just clocking hours. 

We’ll show you how to break the cycle, be intentional, and reconnect with your family without sacrificing your business goals. Because, small moments, done right, create big impacts. 

In this episode you’ll learn:
🔨 Quality time always matters more than the quantity of hours spent. 
🔨 True connection starts with active listening and intentional engagement. 
🔨 Micro moments of presence can create lasting memories and deeper bonds. 
🔨 Emotional availability is crucial for building trust and connection. 
🔨 Prioritise intentionality – be fully present wherever you are, work or home. 
🔨 Self-awareness is key to balancing business stress and family life. 
🔨 Small course corrections can have a big impact on relationships. 
🔨 Real connection is about shared experiences, not just physical proximity. 

… Book a free Strategy Session to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life: www.strategysession.com.au 

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or  https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Corey Tompkins’ shares his remarkable journey from humble beginnings in Western Sydney to building a thriving construction business in Brisbane.

Having transitioned from hands-on tradesman to a strategic business leader, Corey discusses the pivotal decisions that propelled his growth, including hiring key team members, shifting to a B2B model, and stepping off the tools to focus on leadership. 

He also opens up about his personal transformation, shedding 24 kilos and adopting a disciplined mindset that has reshaped both his health and business. 

This is about more than just business; it’s about mindset, momentum, and making the leap. 

In this episode you’ll learn:

🔨 Execution beats excuses—consistency and persistence are the real game-changers. 
🔨 Success is loving the process, not chasing a perfect outcome. 
🔨 Leadership means evolving, adapting, and setting clear boundaries with your team. 
🔨 Transform your mindset; business growth follows personal growth. 
🔨 Get clear on your goals, then build a roadmap to reach them. 
🔨 Your health fuels your business—show up as your best self. 
🔨 Small daily habits create massive long-term change and momentum. 
🔨 Hire strategically to buy back your time and focus on growth. 
🔨 Don’t fear discomfort—it’s a signal you’re growing and evolving. 
🔨 Build a business that supports life, not life that serves business. 

… Book a free Strategy Session to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life: www.strategysession.com.au 

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Making a profit is not a dirty word, in fact it’s your duty as a business owner to prioritise profitability. 

Stats show that many businesses are barely breaking even or going backwards. If you’re falling into the same trap, you may need to shift focus from just servicing customers to actively managing and maximising profits. 

There are three principles for financial success:
1. Be unapologetic about making profit: Embrace profitability as a core measure of success without guilt.
2. Know your numbers: Understand financial metrics to make informed and strategic decisions. 
3. Value profit over ego: Prioritise sustainable growth and profitability over appearances or pride.

In this episode you’ll learn: 
🔨 Profit is essential for a business to survive and thrive.
🔨 Focus on profitability instead of chasing high revenue for validation. 
🔨 Profit provides the resources to achieve both personal and business goals. 
🔨 Separate your personal income from the business’s overall profitability.
🔨 Avoid making ego-driven decisions that prioritise appearances over profitability.
🔨 Prioritising profit is vital and should never be seen as selfish.
🔨 A profitable business allows freedom, flexibility, and financial stability.

“It's true that money is not the most important thing in life, but money does affect everything that is important to life.”
by Robert T Kiyosaki, in his book, ‘Rich Man, Poor Man’.

… Book a free Strategy Call 
https://launch.pravargroup.com.au/onestepcloser

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You can only truly grow your business once you embrace the magic of “leverage”. Leverage allows you, as a business owner, to maximise your time, resources, and efforts without being bogged down by low-value tasks. It enables you to focus on strategic goals and high-value activities, ultimately leading to better profitability and work-life balance. 

Rob and Dan argue the need to build a solid foundation—starting with hiring and training the right ground crew and office staff—before advancing to higher-level roles or adopting complex technology. By overcoming limiting mindsets, such as “no one is as good as me, it saves me time, energy and money if I do it myself,” business owners can optimise their time, delegate low-value tasks, and create sustainable growth. 

Once that foundation is established, you can fully appreciate the impact of leverage, of which there are three forms: 

1. Money – Investing in resources like staff, systems, or tools that can generate greater returns over time.

2. People – Delegating tasks to the right team members, such as ground crew, admin staff, or project managers, to free up the owner’s time and enable business growth.

3. Systems – Implementing processes and technology, such as job management systems and accounting software, to improve efficiency, reduce manual work, and scale operations effectively.

In this episode you’ll learn:

🔨 Leverage helps business owners focus on growth, not routine tasks.
🔨 Hiring the right people allows for effective delegation and time-saving.
🔨 Technology can free up time if used at the right stage.
🔨 Mindset is crucial; thinking “I can do it all” can hinder growth.
🔨 Strategic hires should be made in the right order to ensure success.
🔨 Solid foundations are key for growth, like clear processes and systems. 
🔨 Don’t skip foundational steps; they ensure long-term business success.
🔨 Leverage is built through money, people, and systems to maximise impact.

We mentioned Episode 22, The Strategic Hires EVERY Trades Business Needs When They Hit $80k a Month:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2SfExoghU26oB91ERDxlQf?si=80fR_6ykRjmIMP05SzSziw 

… Book a free Strategy Call
https://launch.pravargroup.com.au/onestepcloser

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Running a business isn’t easy, we all know that. But, if you’re striving to step up and grow it much bigger than it is today, you need to build momentum. 

Unlike motivation, which can be fleeting, momentum is built through consistent action—it’s the driving force that fuels change and keeps you moving forward, even when challenges make you want to give up. 

And so, how do you build momentum? We suggest adopting four key principles: 

Start small: Begin with tiny, manageable habits that easily fit into your daily routine. 

Focus on consistency: Repeated actions, not fleeting motivation, lead to long-term success. 

Create a supportive environment: Surround yourself with people and structures that foster growth and eliminate distractions. 

Celebrate progress: Acknowledge even the smallest wins to build confidence and reinforce momentum. 

These principles help shift focus from all-or-nothing efforts to steady, incremental progress, creating a self-perpetuating cycle of success. 

By stacking beliefs and consistently reinforcing positive actions, you can unlock sustainable results in both your professional and personal life. 

Please come to The Trade Den Facebook and share your thoughts with other likeminded business owners. https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden 

… Book a free Strategy Call www.strategysession.com.au 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Initially facing overwhelm and burnout, Adrian Kowal found himself at a crossroads, feeling overwhelmed and contemplating selling his business – something he had worked incredibly hard to build. 

With strong support from his family, close friends, and his coaching group, he worked through the tough – and dark – period, leaning on grit and a willingness to ask for help. 

Reflecting on his growth, Adrian credits the lessons learned and his ongoing efforts to maintain mental well-being and a healthy relationship with alcohol. 

He tried various methods to regain control, from health routines to therapy, but ultimately found that focusing on a few small habits was the key to rebuilding. 

Adrian’s story highlights the importance of community, leadership, and mental health. It’s a reminder that it’s okay to ask for help when needed and that taking small, consistent steps can lead to massive change. 

Adrian’s journey inspires many, especially those in the trades, to keep pushing through even the toughest of times. 

Takeaways from this episode: 

🔨 Small habits can lead to big changes in life and business.
🔨 Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
🔨 Support networks are crucial for overcoming tough personal and professional times.
🔨 Consistency, not perfection, is key to making lasting progress.
🔨 Mental health should be prioritised alongside physical health for overall wellbeing.
🔨 Embrace challenges as opportunities to grow and build resilience.
🔨 Being a strong leader starts with taking care of yourself.
🔨 Taking small steps daily leads to long-term success and stability.

Mental health support

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and looking for support or guidance with your mental health, TIACS is a free phone and text counselling service offering mental health support to Australia’s blue-collar community. Visit https://www.tiacs.org/ or phone 0488 846 988.

Or, access Beyond Blue https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ or phone 1300 22 4636. 

Please come to The Trade Den Facebook and share your thoughts with other likeminded business owners.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden 

… Book a free Strategy Call www.strategysession.com.au 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite what you may have heard, motivation is NOT a magical starting point. Instead, we argue that motivation is a result of five critical factors:

1. Energy drives action: Physical and mental energy levels, supported by healthy habits like proper sleep, exercise, and nutrition, are foundational for motivation.
2. Desire determines commitment: High desire means you’re committed to doing whatever it takes, while low desire leads to inconsistency when challenges arise.
3. Distraction reveals priorities: Frequent distractions suggest a lack of genuine commitment to your goals.
4. Belief fuels execution: Confidence in your ability to achieve a goal boosts your willingness to take consistent action.
5. Delay impacts motivation: Long-term goals can hinder motivation; breaking them into short-term milestones makes them feel attainable. 

By understanding and optimising these elements, you can sustain motivation, overcome obstacles, and achieve meaningful progress in both personal and professional goals. Isn’t that what we all want? 

This is the first episode of our Matters series, where we share short, laser-focused ideas and tackle essential topics like mindset, health, family, and money. 

Let us know what you think of this new concept. Please come to The Trade Den Facebook and share your thoughts with other likeminded business owners. https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden

… Book a free Strategy Call
https://launch.pravargroup.com.au/onestepcloser 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a refreshing break, you’re brimming with optimism and big-picture thinking. However, the holiday mode can derail momentum if not handled carefully.

Starting the year right sets the tone for success!

Bosses must strike a balance, keeping their “head in the clouds” (vision and strategy) while maintaining their “feet on the ground” (practical execution).

Businesses that fail to hit the ground running risk falling into tactical firefighting, losing valuable time.

Now’s the time – a strong January lays the foundation for a productive and profitable year.

Takeaways from this episode:
🔨 Shake off the holiday cobwebs and jumpstart those January plans.
🔨 Dream big, but don’t forget to actually get stuff done.
🔨 It’s time to rally the troops and bring the buzz.
🔨 Rekindle those client relationships early—don’t let your pipeline gather dust. 
🔨 Work hard, but don’t forget to recharge your batteries with scheduled breaks. 
🔨 A little prep now saves a lot of angst later on.

… Book a free Strategy Call
https://launch.pravargroup.com.au/onestepcloser

If you’re not already part of The Trade Den community on Facebook, like so many others, why not join and tell us how you’re planning for 2025? 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden  

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s that time of year. You’re all excited to get things started both in business and personally. And it’s a time when many put pen to paper to write down their new goals and resolutions.

But, hang on! Resolutions for most people are doomed to fail. They’re often rooted in vague goals focused on escaping pain rather than striving for meaningful outcomes. 

At Pravar, we recognise the importance of clear, inspiring visions paired with strategic planning and preparedness for challenges. In this episode we encourage you to embrace clarity and intention to ensure lasting success in your personal and professional goals.

In this episode you’ll learn:

🔨 The 3 traps relate to why leaders struggle to drive organisational change.
🔨 Many resolutions focus on pain, not inspiring, positive outcomes. 
🔨 Clear, measurable goals are more motivating than vague actions. 
🔨 Avoid overwhelm by prioritising “what” over immediately jumping into “how”. 
🔨 Business owners must focus on leadership, not just daily operations. 
🔨 Dream bigger and embrace aspirations beyond short-term fixes. 
🔨 Growth requires practice, persistence, and readiness for inevitable challenges.

If you’re looking for guidance on resolutions and goal-setting so you get the best start to a new year … Book a free Strategy Call https://launch.pravargroup.com.au/onestepcloser 

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den community on Facebook make sure you join and tell us what you’re aiming to achieve for 2025.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When customers say, “You’re too expensive,” that gnawing temptation to shave a few dollars off your quote can feel irresistible. In markets crowded with lowball offers and shrinking margins, discounting seems like the only way to survive. But, even a small discount can slice a huge amount from your profit. 

Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on the real maths of discounting – and why caving on price can quietly destroy your bottom line. Because in a race to the bottom, no one wins. If you’re tired of feeling forced to drop your pants just to land a job, we’ll show you there’s a better way. 

We encourage you to go back to these three pricing episodes: 

• The Most Costly Pricing Mistakes You Can Make in a Trades Business  https://open.spotify.com/episode/5UJ8onXmv2NabVnNgPrGyx?si=cabcf5bd4e004b73
• How to Adjust Your Prices as Your Business Grows… Without Losing Customers (Pricing Part 2) https://open.spotify.com/episode/1NYi3paURCiPgGWZCqUSBG?si=4e25928ff523411f
• What You Need to be Charging in Your Trades Business (Pricing Part 3) https://open.spotify.com/episode/11lRyLnIMJ86EMBJ8bvRld?si=90fd4eafc37a40f4

In this episode you’ll learn:
🔨 Competing only on price guarantees everyone eventually loses, including your business. 
🔨 Customers often compare quotes without understanding scope differences and true value. 
🔨 You must clearly demonstrate capability to justify your pricing with confidence. 
🔨 Realign project scope to fit budgets instead of reducing your quoted price. 
🔨 Protecting your profit margin ensures your business remains healthy and sustainable. 
🔨 Avoid racing to the bottom; educate clients on real costs and quality. 

… Book a free Strategy Session to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life: www.strategysession.com.au 

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook: 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or  https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to the very last episode of 2024 and an episode where we wanted to take the time to recap on some of the moments and key lessons we’ve spoken about on the podcast that we know have genuinely made a difference in our clients (and listener’s lives) 

At Pravar Group we limit the number of new clients that come on board so this podcast is our way of doing that and helping as many Trades & Construction business owners as we can to reconnect with their families and create businesses that they love living in. 

If you haven’t listened to any of the below episodes make sure you take time to go back and tune in OR revisit these to make sure you’ve implemented everything you can to make 2025 your best year yet. 

And make sure you listen all the way to the end to hear some BIG changes coming in 2025 and what they mean for you.

Episodes Referenced:

• EP 23 - The Most Costly Pricing Mistakes You Can Make in a Trades Business (Pricing Series Part 1) Listen on Apple or Spotify 
• EP 24 - How to Adjust Your Prices as Your Business Grows… Without Losing Customers (Pricing Series  Part 2) Listen on Apple or Spotify
• EP 25 - What You Need to be Charging in Your Trades Business (Pricing Series Part 3) Listen on Apple or Spotify
  EP 30 - How to Transition From Being A Mate to A Manager Listen on Apple or Spotify 
• EP 37 - How To Become a Dad Your Kids Will Remember on Apple or Spotify 
• EP 13 - From Almost Losing His Family To Having It All, Turning $6.5 Mil and Working 30 Hours A Week with Nathan Wilson from Rescue U Plumbing Listen on Apple or Spotify 
• EP 5 - If you feel like Shutting Your Business Down … this Episode will Change Your Life with Ahmad Radi from Radi Electrical. Listen on Apple or Spotify
  EP 26 - Overcoming Adversity: How Zach Hansen Went from Leaving High School at 15 to Leading a Team of 13 & a Turnover of $3 Million Listen on Apple or Spotify
  EP 36 - Scaling From 12 to 80+ Employees, $14Mill in Revenue & Named Great Place to Work with Simon Parker from Parker Precision Listen on Apple or Spotify 
• EP 27 - Face the Facts: How is Alcohol Affecting Your Personal and Business Success? Listen on Apple or Spotify  

If you want to have the best 2025 yet and get some support to grow your business and reclaim your time … Book a free Strategy Call here 

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den community on Facebook make sure you join so you can be part of our 2025 plans. 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or @pravargroup. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s almost Christmas and we’ve spoken the last few weeks about strategies you can implement to not just have a cracking end to 2024 but make 2025 your best year yet. 

Often this time of year we’re so busy just trying to get to the finish line but if you want 2025 to be DIFFERENT, one of the keys to success is taking the time to actually reflect on what happened in your year. 

At Pravar, our two step process is the thing that sets so many of our clients up for success, which is the same thing that the top 1% of athletes and business leaders do as well.

In this episode you’ll learn:
🔨 How debriefing and reflecting is the key to sustainable success
🔨 The 2 Steps to Round out and Reflect on Your Year
🔨 The 4 critical questions and why they are important
🔨 How to anchor your success and carry the momentum into 2025

If you want to have the best 2025 yet and get some support to grow your business and reclaim your time … Book a free Strategy Call here 

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den community on Facebook make sure you join and tell us what your wins from 2024 were as well. 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or @pravargroup.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frank, like a few other client stories you might have heard, first contacted Pravar when he was working 80+ hours a week, was chained to his phone getting 80-100 phone calls a day, had no admin, no structure and no time for his family … and then he found out his wife was having twins.

In under 3 years Frank has completely changed his business and his life. He only works 30 hours a week, he’s taken a six week family holiday to Italy and he’s now in a position where he’s able to start to build his own family legacy and wealth. 

But that’s not the end of his story. Frank’s personal transformation from someone who had no time to eat, drank beers every night and in poor physical shape, to now quitting spoking, fixing his health and becoming a role model for his kids and his family.

Frank didn’t believe that he could do this … but he DID see other people who had done it before him and that was all he needed to think that perhaps he could make the change too.

If you’re currently stuck living a life you hate and want to make a change in 2025 book a free Strategy Call here 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

🔨 How Frank brought on and setup his first admin hire when he didn’t even know what she’d be doing

🔨 The biggest mindset shifts that helped Frank delegate and trust his team

🔨 The steps Frank took to be able to leave work at work and be a present Dad and Husband

🔨 A framework we teach that Frank lives by which has helped him build his personal wealth, improve his health AND work less than ever before. 

If you’re not already part of The Trade Den community on Facebook make sure you join and tell us what your wins from 2024 were as well. 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or @pravargroup.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Talk to any Trades Business Owner, December is just one of those months…increased workloads, looming deadlines, unrealistic expectations from customers and you’re trying to do a full month’s worth of work in less than 3 weeks 

Everyone is tired, worn out and just want a break. 

Getting the end of the year right is the difference between setting yourself up for an incredible 2025 OR chasing your tail all year and starting behind the eight ball. 

And it doesn’t involve some crazy strategy or not taking any time off, today what we’re going to be talking about is the 5 percenters that will make sure you get a break, you’re not worried about your cashflow AND you’ve set yourself up to have the best start to 2025 that you can. 

In this episode you’ll learn:

🔨 5 Key Strategies to Finish 2024 Strong

🔨 How to manage your cashflow and minimise stress over the Christmas Break

🔨 What you can do NOW to make sure that January is your best yet

🔨 How to make sure you actually get to spend time with your family and recharge over the break 

If you want to have the best 2025 yet and get some support to grow your business and reclaim your time … Book a free Strategy Call here 

Want to join a community of like minded tradesmen or have a topic you want us to cover? Join The Trade Den on Facebook 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These client stories are some of our listeners favourite episodes. 

And it’s not just because they hold the ‘secrets’ to growing your business, getting you off the tools and living a life that you love … but it’s because they are people, just like you who made a choice to do things differently.

Andy Clyde from Inline Cabinetry has gone from working 80+ hours a week, getting hundreds of phone calls, doing EVERY single role in his business himself and not being able to grow his revenue to having his biggest year yet on track to turn over $3.6 million, working 40 hours a week, has a team of 13 and is about to move into a new office space. 

But that’s not even the best part. His partner Maddie used to not even bother calling to ask for help with their four kids because the answer was always going to be ‘Nah I’m too busy’ … Andy used to rush through reading the kids bedtime stories so he could get back to the laptop and was working so much he missed every single event. 

Now he hasn’t worked a Saturday in months, he goes to the kids sport EVERY SINGLE NIGHT and after a pivotal moment last year, stopped bringing his laptop home completely. 

So much of Andy’s story is about stepping into the man & leader you need to become to create this freedom and life and that’s what you’re going to hear today. 

In this episode you’ll learn:

🔨 The one thing Andy wished he did earlier that was the key to his growth 

🔨 The shift Andy made to transform from Andy the Cabinet Maker to Andy the Leader & Businessman

🔨 What so many business owners do to sabotage their path to growth and freedom 

🔨 The structure that allows Andy to grow his business but ALSO be a present dad and partner

If this has resonated with you and you want to build a roadmap to bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to go … Book a free Strategy Call here 

Want to join a community of like minded tradesmen or have a topic you want us to cover? Join The Trade Den on Facebook 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or @pravargroup.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You found the ‘perfect person’, you got them trained up, you’ve taken a step back off the tools and then they drop the bombshell that they want to finish up. 

Over the last two weeks we’ve gone through how to design a ground crew that actually supports your business goals and how to find the right people … so this week we’re talking about how to keep them and how to become a place where people actually want to work.

And it’s not just paying them more money. 

If you haven’t listened yet you can find Part One here on Apple and Spotify and Part Two here on Apple and Spotify

Aside from being frustrating, there is an actual cost to losing employees, and it’s not just financial. 

When you have to recruit and retrain there’s lost billable time, lost productivity and could even be reputational damage.

So we’re not just going to teach you today how to build a company that people never want to leave but how to link the physical design of your team, your recruitment process and this final piece all together so that you bring the right people in from day one. 

In this episode you’ll learn:

🔨 Who you should ACTUALLY let go of in your business 

🔨 Why paying people more isn’t the answer 

🔨 4 Strategies that are MORE effective to get people to stay than paying them more money

🔨 The secret to holding GOOD people in the long term 

Want some help to get your recruitment and retention process sorted? Book a free Strategy Call here 

Want to join a community of like minded tradesmen or have a topic you want us to cover? Join The Trade Den on Facebook 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or @pravargroup.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you putting ads up on Seek but keep wondering “Why is everybody so terrible?”

Are you stressed because you can’t seem to get any suitable applications at all?

If you answered yes, keep reading.

Last week we spoke about how to get clear on who you want to hire and when the right time is… Getting this right is the first part of the equation in successfully growing your business and getting your time back. 

If you haven’t listened to this yet make sure you tune in here on Apple or Spotify. 

Today we’re getting into how to find the right people. We’re going to take you through the reason your job ads aren’t working AND other strategies that you can implement to make recruiting one of the easiest parts of your business. 

In this episode you’ll learn:

🔨 The thing that's getting between you and finding the RIGHT person for your role 

🔨 Why what you did in recruiting a few years ago, won’t work now

🔨 A strategy you HAVE to implement if you want to attract the best 

🔨 6 out of our 24 Strategies that are proven to work … even in a tough labour market 

If you want some help and to get your recruitment strategy sorted book a free Strategy Call here 

Want to join a community of like minded tradesmen or have a topic you want us to cover? Join The Trade Den on Facebook 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or @pravargroup.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you feel like there’s just no good people to hire?

Or maybe you’ve got no idea how you’re going to be able to afford to step back off the tools yourself, or do it without everything falling apart.  

Getting the right people at the right time is crucial to growing your trades and construction business but something that we see so many business owners get wrong.

This week is the first part in our series around hiring the team that will help you grow and take your business to the next level.

In this episode we’re going to be talking through some key questions you need to reflect on to make sure that your next hire is both the person that will move your business forward AND that it’s NOT someone you’re going to have to replace in 6 months time. 

If you want to have a productive and profitable ground crew, this episode will teach you how to design a team that is exactly that.

And if you want some help to figure out WHO your next hire should be book a free Strategy Call here 

Tune in to learn:

🔨 The 3 different types of hires you should be making 

🔨 How to find the gaps you need to fill in your current Ground Crew 

🔨 The mistake most people make when deciding whether to hire another tradesmen or apprentice 

🔨 WHEN you should be hiring and can you actually afford to take another person on? 

Want to join a community of like minded tradesmen or have a topic you want us to cover? Join The Trade Den on Facebook 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or @pravargroup.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you:

• Missing out on precious family moments because of work?
• Struggling to balance the roles of being a provider and a dad?
• Unsure how to create meaningful connections with your kids?
• Or feeling guilty for not being present enough… but don’t know where to start?

In today’s episode, we are diving into a topic that’s close to home for both of us… The difference between just being a parent and fully showing up as a dad. 

As business owners, we know the pressure of balancing a demanding work life while trying to be there for our families. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that providing financially is enough, but is that really the relationship you want with your kids?

Join us as we chat about the impact long work hours are having on your children’s development, the unique challenges of being a dad to young children versus adult kids, and how to realise when your work justifications are becoming excuses.

In this episode you’ll learn:

🔨 The Difference Between Being a Dad Versus Being a Parent 

🔨 The importance of prioritising quality over quantity when it comes to time with your kids 

🔨 3 powerful concepts to help you become a more Present, Engaged Dad

🔨 How to foster a relationship with your kids that Challenges, Supports, and helps them Grow

Want to join a community of like minded tradesmen or have a topic you want us to cover? Join The Trade Den on Facebook 

Ready to reclaim your nights and weekends and get off the tools? Book a Chat here 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or @pravargroup.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Simon started with Pravar he had 12 employees and was turning over $2 Mill a year. 

Now he’s built a team of over 80 and is on track to do $18mill+ this year. 

Today’s client story isn’t just about the logistics and business strategies Simon had to implement to be able to achieve this incredible growth. It’s about the leader and person he had to become to be able to get his team to grow alongside him. 

Simon has created such an incredible culture within his business that even when everyone else was struggling to hire he attracted A players and was named the 25th great place to work in a company of his size. 

If you want to scale and do it properly, or you’re curious how to get your team to lift their standards so they operate at the same level you do … don’t miss this episode! 

You’ll Hear 

🔨 How to find and attract the RIGHT people 

🔨 What it takes to create a culture of excellence where your team do their roles even better than you would

🔨 The strategic change Simon made to open new markets and scale his business 

🔨 What it actually takes to lead a team of 80+ and the changes he had to go through along the way 

And if you want to scale your business and set yourself up for success book in a free strategy call here 

Want to join a community of like minded tradesmen or have a topic you want us to cover? Join The Trade Den on Facebook 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or @pravargroup.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ve done the hard yards of selling the job to a client. You’ve planned it to perfection and teed up the crew. But just when you think you’re off the tools for good, the phone starts ringing. Again. And again. And again. It’s like you’ve built a business… just to answer questions from your team all day. 

It’s not because they’re incompetent. It’s often because they’re missing the full picture. And that missing piece? That’s on you. 

Today we unpack why tradies get stuck being the go-to for every little decision and how to finally stop being the bottleneck. It all comes down to four key elements—scope, materials, time, and boundaries. It’s so you can hand over jobs with confidence and win back your freedom. 

In this episode you’ll learn:

🔨 Clarity around scope eliminates confusion and drastically reduces unnecessary phone calls. 
🔨 Proper handovers transfer knowledge, not just responsibility, to the ground crew. 
🔨 Most mistakes stem from missing information, not poor skills or bad intent. 
🔨 Without boundaries, the crew defers every decision, creating a bottleneck at the top. 
🔨 Time expectations must include both deadlines and realistic, broken-down milestones. 
🔨 Vague assumptions cost money – be explicit about inclusions, exclusions, and client agreements. 

… Book a free Strategy Session to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life: www.strategysession.com.au 

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook: 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What’s the first thing you do when you open your eyes in the morning?

Do you grab your phone? 

Check Emails?

Read The News? 

Maybe you see a notification you really wish you didn’t?

If you look at highly successful people in their field whether it’s elite athletes or elite business people every single one of them sets themselves up for success every day. 

And you don’t have to go to the extremes of saunas, ice baths, and an hour of meditation, there are only FOUR simple, sustainable elements that most of them look at to change the game completely. 

So today we’re going to be using this episode to reflect on the things you might be doing that are either setting you up to WIN or FAIL and what you can implement instead. 

If you haven’t listened to episode 12 where we go through 2 questions that will help you to stay focused and get more done make sure you check it out

On Apple

And Spotify

You’ll Hear 

🔨 The 4 Key Elements of A Winning Morning Routine

🔨 What to do in the first 5 minutes of waking up to set yourself up for success 

🔨 How to make these changes part of your life FOR GOOD instead of just a few weeks 

🔨 The reason you feel like you’re constantly in firefighting mode and how to take back control 

Want to join a community of like-minded tradesmen or have a topic you want us to cover? Join The Trade Den on Facebook 

Ready to reclaim your nights and weekends and get off the tools? Book a Chat here 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or @pravargroup.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the biggest challenges Trades and Construction Business Owners face is switching gears from being a businessman to being present with their family.

Too often, guys get stuck on the hamster wheel; working long hours, not seeing the profits they deserve, and feeling disconnected from their loved ones.

In this episode, we're giving you the tools and strategies to help you draw the line between work and personal life. That way, you can show up as a strong leader in your business, but more importantly, as a loving husband and father that your family and friends deserve.

Stick around till the end, where we’ll share the game-changing techniques our clients are using to leave work stress at the door.

You’ll Learn:

🔨 The #1 skill you need to master for better work/life balance

🔨 Two mental hacks to transition from businessman to family man

🔨 How to protect your family time from interruptions like calls, emails and texts

🔨 The true cost of letting business demands take over your life

Do you find yourself relying on alcohol to relax? Queue up our episode on ‘How is Alcohol Affecting Your Personal and Business Success’ on Spotify or Apple. 

Want to join a community of like minded tradesmen or have a topic you want us to cover? Join The Trade Den on Facebook 

Ready to reclaim your nights and weekends and get off the tools? Book a Chat here 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or @pravargroup.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For a lot of trade business owners, Christmas is the most stressful time of the year.

And what many people don’t realise is that a successful end of the year starts NOW. 

So if you dread the end-of-year rush and want to avoid a slow Q1, this episode is for you. 

Join us as we discuss three crucial steps that will help you manage your cash flow, plan ahead, and keep your pipeline full - all while ensuring you enjoy the holiday season. 

You’ll Hear 

🔨 How to harness the power of anticipation to set you up for Success

🔨 4 Key Tactics to effectively manage your Christmas period Cashflow 

🔨 The importance of filling your pipeline for January & February  

🔨 The 2 biggest mistakes trade business owners make that is the difference between making profit and breaking even 

🔨 How to minimise losses & maximise profit during the festive period

🔨 The mindset required to end the year strong, enjoy the time off, and hit the ground running in January

If you want to learn more about filling your pipeline, queue up the following episodes:

➡️ The Fastest Way to Fill Your Sales Pipeline on Spotify / Apple

➡️ How to Get New Customers & Increase Sales WITHOUT Feeling Pushy on Spotify / Apple

➡️ This Follow Up Process Made Our Client $250k in 2 weeks on Spotify / Apple

Want to join a community of like-minded tradesmen or have a topic you want us to cover? Join The Trade Den on Facebook 

Ready to reclaim your nights and weekends and get off the tools? Book a Chat here 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or @pravargroup.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We held our annual Lifestyle Mastermind and Awards night a few weeks ago and thought we’d do a bit of a different episode today to give you some insight into the mastermind itself and the awards night. 

Lifestyle clients at Pravar are working towards the outcome of building a trades business doing $3-5 Mill+ in revenue, 10-15% Net Profit, in 45 hours a week or less.  They’re not just striving to become better businessmen and get more time and financial freedom, they actually want to invest in themselves to become better husbands, fathers, leaders and just great blokes all round. 

These clients on average in 2023 Financial Year were turning over $3.8 million doing and $580,000 in net profit in LESS than 45 hours a week. 

So if that’s something that YOU want to work towards listen to this episode, find out the common traits they all share between them and if you’re not yet working with us book in your Free Strategy Session here to see if you’re the right fit and map out your next 12 months. 

You’ll Learn: 

🔨 What the Lifestyle Mastermind is & where it fits in the Pravar Coaching Journey

🔨 Behind the scenes of the event (and boat day) and why it’s so important not just for our clients but their partners as well 

🔨 How the Lifestyle program is different to the other levels at Pravar and what it takes to get there

🔨 What you can learn from our award winners and implement in your business 

If you want to hear more about HOW our winners have achieved their success check out

Ahmad Radi - Community Award On Apple & Spotify 

Anthony Rentzis - The Bevan Award - Anthony Rentzis On Apple & Spotify 

Phil Dawes - The Transformation Award - Phil Dawes  On Apple & Spotify 

Nathan Wilson - Excellence Award - Nathan Wilson  On Apple & Spotify 

And look out for Andy Clyde, the Breakthrough Award winner.

Want to join a community of like-minded tradesmen or have a topic you want us to cover? Join The Trade Den on Facebook 

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or @pravargroup.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.