The Trade Den – Details, episodes & analysis

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.