Grab a cuppa, or go through the coffee drive through, press play and buckle up Tradie business owners! We will cover things in this podcast that don't shy away from the raw honest truth about business. It is hard, it is raw, and we also wanna deliver you all the tips and tricks you need to learn about business too. IN LOVE: How are you trekking in your relationship as a couple in business? Are you respecting each other? Are you finding it hard to toe the line between business and home? Do you squabble like husband and wife like you do at home when you are in 'work mode?' It is not easy to maintain a relationship and business at the same time. But the relationship should be #1 at all costs! Learn how to improve on this. IN LIFE - do you have one or is your business taking over? Many couples need permission to actually have a life. The tradie thinks if he doesn't work he doesn't get paid - but you need some semblance of balance too. So how do you strike it?? First you need to be clear about what you want and how you want your life to look both now and into the future. Otherwise - you can just wander aimlessly with no real plans as to what you want your business to provide.
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October 20, 2026Episode 6151 min
EP. 61: 22 Years in Business, But Something Had to Change: Pete & Deb's Plumbing Business Turnaround
After more than 20 years in business, Pete and Deb knew how to work hard. But working hard wasn't necessarily getting them the life they wanted. Pete was putting in 70 to 80-hour weeks running their plumbing business, Deb was juggling the demands of her own business and family life, and the pressure was starting to take its toll. Then came a frightening health scare that made them question what they were doing it all for. In this episode, Kate is joined by Pete and Deb, alongside their Ladies With Tradies coach Teresa Mullins, to unpack how they went from constantly working and reacting to finally taking control of their business and their future. From getting their invoicing and admin under control to understanding their numbers, charging what they're worth and building a stronger team, Pete and Deb share the changes that have transformed their business in less than 12 months. Today, their overdraft is paid off, they're investing in their future, Pete has reduced his working hours and they're finding more time to enjoy life together. But perhaps the biggest change is that they're no longer just getting through each week. They're making decisions together about the life they want to build. It's an honest, funny and inspiring conversation about knowing when something needs to change, being willing to ask for help and realising that it's never too late to start doing business differently. Think there could be an extra $10K a month hiding in your tradie business? The $10K Hour helps you look at your real numbers, spot where money is leaking, and choose the strategies that could put it back in your pocket. It’s just $9 , you can do it privately in your own time, and if you don’t find $10K, Kate will refund your $9 and give you $200 for your troubles . 👉 Find your $10K here: https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/the-10k-hour What if there was an extra $10K+ per month already sitting inside your tradie business and you just weren't capturing it? That's exactly what we're going to prove at this live, in-person workshop. Bring your numbers. We'll find the money. Register here 👉 https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/horsham-2026-10khour 🎧 Ready to take your tradie business to the next level? Are You Paying Your Staff Too Much? Find out in just 5 minutes whether your labour costs are eating into your profit and what your numbers could be telling you. 👉 https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/resources/are-you-paying-your-staff-too-much 💡 The Empowered Tradie Business Program (FREE) Get clarity, structure, and direction in your business—without the overwhelm. 👉 https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/empowered-tradie-program 📞 Find ‘What To Fix First’ Not sure what’s holding your business back? Let’s figure it out together. 👉 https://links.ladieswithtradies.com/widget/bookings/30min_chatdirect
September 15, 2026Episode 6051 min
EP. 60: Small Team, Big Life: How Tim & Steph Built a Business Around What Matters
WORKING THE TRADE, LIVING THE LIFE You don’t need the biggest team, the most vans or the highest turnover to build a bloody good life. This week, Kate sits down with coaching clients Tim and Steph Price from Price Concrete Co., a small but mighty concreting business in regional New South Wales. Tim grew up in the trades, completing his bricklaying apprenticeship with his dad before eventually taking over the family business and moving its focus towards concreting. Steph’s entry into the business will sound familiar to plenty of tradie wives. She married a tradie and naturally found herself taking on the admin. But stepping into an established family business came with its own challenges. There were old ways of doing things, handshake agreements, paper everywhere and the expectations that come with running a business carrying a well-known family name in a small community. Then Tim and Steph decided they wanted to do things their way. Over the past few years, they’ve worked on understanding their numbers, formalising their quoting process, improving their marketing, building systems and getting much clearer about what they actually want their business to achieve. One of their biggest discoveries? Bigger wasn’t necessarily better. When they had a bigger team, they had bigger turnover, but not necessarily bigger profit. Today, they operate with a leaner crew, bring in subcontractors when the work requires it and have created a model that gives them flexibility without carrying unnecessary overhead and risk. And that business is helping them create a pretty incredible life outside of it too. They’re building their forever home, taking on property projects, raising seven kids and continuing to dream bigger about what they can create together. In this episode, Kate, Tim and Steph unpack: Taking over a generational trade business and finding the confidence to do things differently Steph’s experience stepping into the family business as the “in-law” Why business coaching initially felt foreign to Tim Moving from handshake agreements to a proper quoting and sales process Why it can be uncomfortable changing the way you do business in a small regional community Going from checking the bank balance to actually understanding their profit and loss How knowing their numbers helps them identify which levers to pull when things aren’t going to plan Why targeted marketing has helped them generate the right kind of work What happened when they realised a bigger team gave them more turnover, but not necessarily more profit How they use subcontractors to stay lean while still having capacity for bigger projects Building their dream home while running the business and investing in other properties How business gave them the confidence, resilience and problem-solving skills to dream bigger Steph’s journey rediscovering her own creativity and identity outside the business Why creating space for yourself can feel uncomfortable when your tradie is out working Making health, connection and time together part of the bigger picture Why success doesn’t have to look like 20 employees and a fleet of utes And why sometimes the smartest thing you can do is run your own race There’s a really simple message underneath Tim and Steph’s story. You get to decide what success looks like. If you want to build a massive trade business, go for it. But if what you really want is a profitable business, a small team, a good income and enough freedom to build a dream home, spend time with your family, chase other opportunities and actually enjoy your life, that counts too. As Steph puts it, they’re working for their lifestyle. And maybe that’s the metric that matters most. ✨ Key Takeaways Bigger turnover doesn’t automatically mean a better business. Tim and Steph discovered that having five people didn’t necessarily leave them with more profit than running with three. A leaner team has meant fewer overheads, less risk and fewer headaches, while still giving them the flexibility to bring in subcontractors when bigger projects come along. Know what you’re actually building towards. Their forever home started as a dream that once would have seemed almost impossible. As their business knowledge and confidence grew, so did their belief in what they could achieve outside the business. You don’t have to run somebody else’s race. There can be pressure in business to keep growing, hiring and chasing the next revenue milestone. Tim and Steph’s story is proof that success can also mean knowing your numbers, making good profit and building a business that funds the lifestyle you actually want. And sometimes, you just have to start. Tim’s advice is to get the foundations and processes right. Steph’s is to stop waiting for the perfect time and have a crack. Put the two together and you’ve got a pretty good recipe: know where you want to go, build the right foundations and then do it your way. Think there could be an extra $10K a month hiding in your tradie business? The $10K Hour helps you look at your real numbers, spot where money is leaking, and choose the strategies that could put it back in your pocket. It’s just $9 , you can do it privately in your own time, and if you don’t find $10K, Kate will refund your $9 and give you $200 for your troubles . 👉 Find your $10K here: https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/the-10k-hour What if there was an extra $10K+ per month already sitting inside your tradie business and you just weren't capturing it? That's exactly what we're going to prove at this live, in-person workshop. Bring your numbers. We'll find the money. Register here 👉 https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/horsham-2026-10khour 🎧 Ready to take your tradie business to the next level? Are You Paying Your Staff Too Much? Find out in just 5 minutes whether your labour costs are eating into your profit and what your numbers could be telling you. 👉 https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/resources/are-you-paying-your-staff-too-much 💡 The Empowered Tradie Business Program (FREE) Get clarity, structure, and direction in your business—without the overwhelm. 👉 https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/empowered-tradie-program 📞 Find ‘What To Fix First’ Not sure what’s holding your business back? Let’s figure it out together. 👉 https://links.ladieswithtradies.com/widget/bookings/30min_chatdirect
August 18, 2026Episode 5951 min
EP. 59 One Last Crack: From “Shitter’s Ditch” to a Business That Works for Them
WORKING THE TRADE, LIVING THE LIFE What happens when you’re doing all the work, but the business still isn’t working for you? This week, Kate is joined by coaching clients Toby and Sem Brown from Brown Carpentry for a very real conversation about what happened when they decided to give their business one last crack. Toby and Sem originally went into business chasing something most tradie families want: more freedom, more flexibility and more time together as a family. Instead, the business eventually became another hamster wheel. Toby was working six to six-and-a-half days a week. The team was busy. There was work coming in. But the money wasn’t there. Behind the scenes, Toby and Sem were juggling financial pressure, two mortgages, tax debt, family life and a move to Horsham so their daughter Iris could attend a special school. They reached the point where something had to change. And rather than walking away, they decided to back themselves and have one last crack. In this episode, Kate, Toby and Sem unpack: Why being busy doesn’t necessarily mean you’re making money The moment they realised they didn’t actually know their numbers Discovering they were losing $20 to $30 for every hour they worked Why increasing their prices was such a huge mindset shift for Toby Going from “winging it” to having systems, plans and structure The difference between being a great tradie and running a great trade business Why Toby went from six-and-a-half days of work to four days on the tools How creating a dedicated admin day changed both the business and their relationship Learning to lead a team instead of trying to be everyone’s mate Why knowing your numbers gives you the confidence to back your pricing The ripple effect financial pressure can have on your relationship and family Why coaching only works when you’re willing to implement the uncomfortable stuff The self-worth lesson that changed the way Toby approaches business Why, after everything they’ve been through, Toby and Sem feel like they’re only just getting warmed up There’s plenty of business strategy in this conversation, including pricing, profitability, systems, leadership, cashflow and knowing your numbers. But underneath all of it is something bigger. Toby and Sem didn't just turn around their business. They created more time together. They changed the way they communicate. They became more confident in their decisions. And they gave themselves the space to start dreaming about what's next again. Sometimes the turning point isn’t having everything figured out. Sometimes it’s simply deciding to have one last crack and then being willing to do things differently. ✨ Key Takeaway You don’t always need to give up. Sometimes you need to stop doing business the way you’ve always done it. Toby and Sem were working harder and harder without getting ahead. But once they understood their numbers, backed their worth and were willing to make uncomfortable changes, the ripple effect went far beyond profit. The business got better. Their relationship got better. Family life got better. And for the first time in a long time, they had the space to think about what could come next. Sometimes “one last crack” isn’t about pushing harder. It’s about finally doing things differently. Think there could be an extra $10K a month hiding in your tradie business? The $10K Hour helps you look at your real numbers, spot where money is leaking, and choose the strategies that could put it back in your pocket. It’s just $9 , you can do it privately in your own time, and if you don’t find $10K, Kate will refund your $9 and give you $200 for your troubles . 👉 Find your $10K here: https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/the-10k-hour What if there was an extra $10K+ per month already sitting inside your tradie business and you just weren't capturing it? That's exactly what we're going to prove at this live, in-person workshop. Bring your numbers. We'll find the money. Register here 👉 https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/horsham-2026-10khour 🎧 Ready to take your tradie business to the next level? Are You Paying Your Staff Too Much? Find out in just 5 minutes whether your labour costs are eating into your profit and what your numbers could be telling you. 👉 https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/resources/are-you-paying-your-staff-too-much 💡 The Empowered Tradie Business Program (FREE) Get clarity, structure, and direction in your business—without the overwhelm. 👉 https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/empowered-tradie-program 📞 Find ‘What To Fix First’ Not sure what’s holding your business back? Let’s figure it out together. 👉 https://links.ladieswithtradies.com/widget/bookings/30min_chatdirect
July 14, 2026Episode 581 hr 5 min
EP. 58: Fatherhood Changed Everything: The Greatest Project of My Life
🎧 Podcast Summary Becoming a parent doesn't just change your schedule. It changes who you are. In this deeply honest conversation, Kate sits down with long-time friend, mentor and business coach Jake Harris to explore how fatherhood became the greatest catalyst for personal growth, self-awareness and leadership. Together they unpack identity, self-trust, business ownership, relationships, perfectionism, and the impossible balancing act of trying to be a great parent while building a meaningful career. This isn't a parenting manual. It's a conversation about becoming the kind of person your family, your business and your future self need you to be. Whether you're raising children, leading a team or simply trying to become a better human, this episode will leave you thinking differently about success, growth and what really matters. 📝 Episode Show Notes This week, Kate is joined by long-time friend, mentor and business coach Jake Harris . Although Jake has spent years helping business owners grow their companies and lead with intention, today's conversation isn't really about business. It's about the role that changed him most. Becoming a dad. Jake shares how fatherhood challenged almost everything he thought he knew about success, control, preparation and identity. For someone who naturally loves planning, analysing and solving problems, becoming a parent forced him to trust himself in ways no business ever could. Together, Kate and Jake explore: Why becoming a parent changes your identity forever The pressure modern dads feel to both provide and be present Why comparison quietly steals confidence Learning to trust yourself instead of chasing perfection The surprising parallels between building a business and raising children Why some of life's greatest lessons can't be learned before you're in them The importance of vulnerability and honest conversations between men Letting go of the idea that there's a "right" way to parent Why reflection matters more than perfection The danger of believing happiness comes after the next milestone The difference between pursuing happiness and finding happiness in the pursuit Jake also introduces powerful ideas including: The Arrival Fallacy The Happiness of Pursuit Strongly held ideas, lightly held Being the person in the arena instead of waiting until you feel ready Throughout the conversation, one message becomes clear: The goal isn't to become the perfect parent. The goal is to keep showing up. To learn. To adapt. To apologise when you get it wrong. And to trust yourself enough to keep moving forward. Whether you're a tradie, a business owner, a parent or simply someone trying to navigate life with a little more intention, this conversation is packed with wisdom you'll come back to again and again. ✨ Key Takeaway The most meaningful things in life can never be perfected or completed. Parenting, business, relationships and personal growth all require the same thing: Showing up, trusting yourself, learning as you go, and letting go of the belief that one day you'll finally "arrive." Real fulfilment isn't found at the finish line. It's found in the pursuit. Get to know more about Jake here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UpperLimitClub Website: https://www.upperlimit.com.au/ Think there could be an extra $10K a month hiding in your tradie business? The $10K Hour helps you look at your real numbers, spot where money is leaking, and choose the strategies that could put it back in your pocket. It’s just $9 , you can do it privately in your own time, and if you don’t find $10K, Kate will refund your $9 and give you $200 for your troubles . 👉 Find your $10K here: https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/the-10k-hour What if there was an extra $10K+ per month already sitting inside your tradie business and you just weren't capturing it? That's exactly what we're going to prove at this live, in-person workshop. Bring your numbers. We'll find the money. Register here 👉 https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/horsham-2026-10khour 🎧 Ready to take your tradie business to the next level? Are You Paying Your Staff Too Much? Find out in just 5 minutes whether your labour costs are eating into your profit and what your numbers could be telling you. 👉 https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/resources/are-you-paying-your-staff-too-much 💡 The Empowered Tradie Business Program (FREE) Get clarity, structure, and direction in your business—without the overwhelm. 👉 https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/empowered-tradie-program 📞 Find ‘What To Fix First’ Not sure what’s holding your business back? Let’s figure it out together. 👉 https://links.ladieswithtradies.com/widget/bookings/30min_chatdirect
June 16, 2026Episode 571 hr 7 min
EP. 57 AI, Business & Better Holidays: How Marcus and Andrew Are Working Smarter, Not Harder
AI is everywhere right now—but most tradies are still asking the same question: “Where the hell do I even start?” In this episode, Kate sits down with long-time Ladies with Tradies clients Marcus (Vivid Coats) and Andrew (Stay Bright Electrical) to unpack how they're using Artificial Intelligence in their businesses—and why it’s become one of the biggest productivity tools they've ever adopted. From writing procedures and solving business problems to handling admin tasks, marketing ideas, customer communication and even acting as a sounding board, both Marcus and Andrew share the practical ways they use AI every day. But this episode goes far deeper than technology. It's also a conversation about business growth, coaching, community, leadership, family life, and why success isn't measured by working 90-hour weeks anymore. If you've been curious about AI but feel intimidated by it, this episode will show you that you don't need to be a tech expert—you just need to be willing to start. Key Takeaway AI isn't replacing tradies—it's helping smart tradies get their time back. The real advantage isn't the technology itself. It's using tools, coaching and community to stop carrying everything in your head, make better decisions faster, and build a business that supports your life—not consumes it. Think there could be an extra $10K a month hiding in your tradie business? The $10K Hour helps you look at your real numbers, spot where money is leaking, and choose the strategies that could put it back in your pocket. It’s just $9 , you can do it privately in your own time, and if you don’t find $10K, Kate will refund your $9 and give you $200 for your troubles . 👉 Find your $10K here: https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/the-10k-hour What if there was an extra $10K+ per month already sitting inside your tradie business and you just weren't capturing it? That's exactly what we're going to prove at this live, in-person workshop. Bring your numbers. We'll find the money. Register here 👉 https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/horsham-2026-10khour 🎧 Ready to take your tradie business to the next level? Are You Paying Your Staff Too Much? Find out in just 5 minutes whether your labour costs are eating into your profit and what your numbers could be telling you. 👉 https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/resources/are-you-paying-your-staff-too-much 💡 The Empowered Tradie Business Program (FREE) Get clarity, structure, and direction in your business—without the overwhelm. 👉 https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/empowered-tradie-program 📞 Find ‘What To Fix First’ Not sure what’s holding your business back? Let’s figure it out together. 👉 https://links.ladieswithtradies.com/widget/bookings/30min_chatdirect
May 19, 2026Episode 5641 min
EP. 56: I Had No Idea How Trade Businesses Worked: Candice’s Journey
This week, Kate is joined by Ladies With Tradies coach — Candice (aka Candy Ray) — for a real and relatable conversation about what it actually looks like to step into the trade world with zero experience… and build confidence from the ground up. Candice’s story isn’t the typical “tradie background.” She spent 17 years working in healthcare before stepping into her husband Murray’s business — Mildura Kitchens & Bathrooms. And like so many tradie wives… She had no idea what she was walking into. No systems. No language. No financial understanding. No roadmap. Just a business that needed help — and a willingness to figure it out. In this episode, Candice and Kate unpack: What it really feels like to be a “fish out of water” in your tradie business The identity shift from healthcare professional to tradie wife Why systems from corporate/healthcare can transform a trade business The moment Candice realised she needed support (and became a client first) How coaching helped her build confidence, clarity and capability The challenge of working with your partner (and communicating effectively) Why tradies get stuck on the “work harder = more money” hamster wheel The emotional side of business — pressure, overwhelm and mental load What coaching actually looks like (and why it’s not just advice) The power of community and being surrounded by people who “get it” Candice also shares her favourite part of coaching — watching those small but powerful shifts: The exhale. The clarity. The moment things finally make sense. And how those moments turn into bigger outcomes — more confidence, better decisions, and a business that actually supports life outside of work. This episode is a reminder that you don’t need to have it all figured out to get started. You just need to be willing to step in, learn, and back yourself. ✨ Key Takeaway You don’t need to come from the trade world to build a successful trade business. What matters is your willingness to learn, your attitude to growth, and your ability to back yourself — even when you feel like you don’t belong yet. Confidence comes after action, not before. Think there could be an extra $10K a month hiding in your tradie business? The $10K Hour helps you look at your real numbers, spot where money is leaking, and choose the strategies that could put it back in your pocket. It’s just $9 , you can do it privately in your own time, and if you don’t find $10K, Kate will refund your $9 and give you $200 for your troubles . 👉 Find your $10K here: https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/the-10k-hour What if there was an extra $10K+ per month already sitting inside your tradie business and you just weren't capturing it? That's exactly what we're going to prove at this live, in-person workshop. Bring your numbers. We'll find the money. Register here 👉 https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/horsham-2026-10khour 🎧 Ready to take your tradie business to the next level? Are You Paying Your Staff Too Much? Find out in just 5 minutes whether your labour costs are eating into your profit and what your numbers could be telling you. 👉 https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/resources/are-you-paying-your-staff-too-much 💡 The Empowered Tradie Business Program (FREE) Get clarity, structure, and direction in your business—without the overwhelm. 👉 https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/empowered-tradie-program 📞 Find ‘What To Fix First’ Not sure what’s holding your business back? Let’s figure it out together. 👉 https://links.ladieswithtradies.com/widget/bookings/30min_chatdirect
April 14, 2026Episode 5546 min
EP. 55: The Legal Stuff Tradies Ignore (Until It’s Too Late)
This week, Kate is joined by legal expert Helen Kay from Rise Legal — the go-to lawyer for Ladies With Tradies and hundreds of tradie business owners across Australia. And today’s conversation is all about the stuff most tradies put off… 👉 Legal. Because let’s be honest — when you’re flat out on the tools, quoting jobs, managing staff and trying to keep cashflow moving, legal feels like something you’ll “get to later.” But as Helen shares — “later” is usually when it’s already too late. In this episode, Kate and Helen unpack the most common legal traps tradie businesses fall into — often without even realising it — and how a few simple steps early on can save you from major stress, lost income, and legal headaches down the track. You’ll hear about: The 5 biggest legal risks tradie businesses face (and why most don’t see them coming) Why “handshake agreements” and informal setups can cost you big time The real purpose of terms & conditions (hint: it’s not just paperwork) How to protect yourself from late payments, scope creep, and disputes Why sending your T&Cs at invoice stage is already too late What happens when subcontractors or clients cut you out of your own work How poor agreements can destroy business relationships and revenue The right way to handle deposits, payment terms and cashflow protection How to protect your business when working with bigger contractors Why AI and copy-paste contracts won’t cut it in the legal world Helen also shares real-life examples from her work — including: ✔ A tradie protected from thousands in damages because their terms were set up properly ❌ A business that lost a major client and income stream because they had no agreements in place And one of the biggest reminders from this episode: You don’t need to do everything at once — but you do need to start. Because legal protection isn’t about reacting when things go wrong… It’s about putting the right structure in place so they don’t. ✨ Key Takeaway The biggest legal problems in business don’t come from big mistakes — they come from small things left unprotected. When you’re clear on your structure, your agreements, and your boundaries, you take back control of your time, your money, and your relationships. Stop winging it. Get protected early — and run your business with confidence. Reach out to Helen Kay (Rise Legal) as our trusted advisor: https://links.ladieswithtradies.com/widget/form/kDF5cGo71dqw94rFIeQi OR check her website: https://riselegal.com.au/helenkay/ Think there could be an extra $10K a month hiding in your tradie business? The $10K Hour helps you look at your real numbers, spot where money is leaking, and choose the strategies that could put it back in your pocket. It’s just $9 , you can do it privately in your own time, and if you don’t find $10K, Kate will refund your $9 and give you $200 for your troubles . 👉 Find your $10K here: https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/the-10k-hour What if there was an extra $10K+ per month already sitting inside your tradie business and you just weren't capturing it? That's exactly what we're going to prove at this live, in-person workshop. Bring your numbers. We'll find the money. Register here 👉 https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/horsham-2026-10khour 🎧 Ready to take your tradie business to the next level? Are You Paying Your Staff Too Much? Find out in just 5 minutes whether your labour costs are eating into your profit and what your numbers could be telling you. 👉 https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/resources/are-you-paying-your-staff-too-much 💡 The Empowered Tradie Business Program (FREE) Get clarity, structure, and direction in your business—without the overwhelm. 👉 https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/empowered-tradie-program 📞 Find ‘What To Fix First’ Not sure what’s holding your business back? Let’s figure it out together. 👉 https://links.ladieswithtradies.com/widget/bookings/30min_chatdirect
March 17, 2026Episode 5453 min
EP. 54: Marcus Luscombe Vivid Coats: Less Is More - How Marcus Reclaimed His Time, Income & Family
PODCAST SUMMARY: This week on Working the Trade, Living the Life , Kate is joined by one of Ladies With Tradies’ longest-standing clients, Marcus Luscombe from Vivid Coats. A painter by trade and community man at heart, Marcus opens up about the season where “more” was the answer to everything — more staff, more hours, more jobs, more pressure. At one point running a team of 10 and working 60–80 hour weeks, Marcus believed that was just the life of a tradie boss. The hustle. The sacrifice. The grind. But what he discovered over the past three and a half years will challenge everything you think you know about growth. By scaling back his team, stepping out of roles that didn’t align with his strengths, and redefining leadership, Marcus built a more profitable business — with fewer staff, less chaos, and more time for his wife and three boys. This episode is about: Less ego. Less noise. Less people-pleasing. And more impact, more income, more presence, and more legacy. This is a story about: Scaling back to move forward Letting go of roles that drain you Reclaiming family time And building a business that supports your life — not consumes it What You’ll Hear in This Episode: What Marcus’ business looked like at 10 staff and 80-hour weeks Why people-pleasing nearly cost him clarity as a leader The hard truth about avoiding confrontation How hiring the right manager changed everything Why fewer staff created more profit and stability The shift from “being in the trenches” to true leadership How extended family holidays became possible The power of community-driven business What “less is more” actually looks like in real life If you think you have to sacrifice family time to run a great trade business — this one might just change your mind. ✨ Key Takeaway You don’t have to sacrifice family time to build a successful trade business. More staff doesn’t equal more profit. More hours doesn’t equal more respect. More chaos doesn’t equal more growth. Sometimes the breakthrough comes from doing less — but doing it better. You can have income and time. You can lead without burning out. And you don’t have to live in the grind forever. Think there could be an extra $10K a month hiding in your tradie business? The $10K Hour helps you look at your real numbers, spot where money is leaking, and choose the strategies that could put it back in your pocket. It’s just $9 , you can do it privately in your own time, and if you don’t find $10K, Kate will refund your $9 and give you $200 for your troubles . 👉 Find your $10K here: https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/the-10k-hour What if there was an extra $10K+ per month already sitting inside your tradie business and you just weren't capturing it? That's exactly what we're going to prove at this live, in-person workshop. Bring your numbers. We'll find the money. Register here 👉 https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/horsham-2026-10khour 🎧 Ready to take your tradie business to the next level? Are You Paying Your Staff Too Much? Find out in just 5 minutes whether your labour costs are eating into your profit and what your numbers could be telling you. 👉 https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/resources/are-you-paying-your-staff-too-much 💡 The Empowered Tradie Business Program (FREE) Get clarity, structure, and direction in your business—without the overwhelm. 👉 https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/empowered-tradie-program 📞 Find ‘What To Fix First’ Not sure what’s holding your business back? Let’s figure it out together. 👉 https://links.ladieswithtradies.com/widget/bookings/30min_chatdirect
February 17, 2026Episode 5339 min
EP. 53 She Was a Tradie Wife First: Donna’s Journey Into Coaching
Podcast Summary Before she was a coach… she was a tradie wife. In this episode, Kate sits down with Donna Brown — one of the powerhouse coaches inside Ladies With Tradies — to share the full-circle journey from overwhelmed tradie partner to confident business leader. Donna didn’t start as a coach. She started where so many of you are: Supporting a tradie husband. Juggling cashflow stress. Growing too fast. Hiring staff. Carrying the mental load. Wondering how to help without causing more tension. From running a pressure washing and cleaning business with her husband Clayton, to scaling up, burning out, scaling back, and rebuilding intentionally — Donna shares the raw reality of what it takes to build a profitable trade business without losing your family in the process. This isn’t just a business story. It’s the story of a tradie wife who lived it first — and now coaches others through it. In this episode, Kate and Donna unpack: What it really feels like to be the tradie partner carrying the mental load The pressure of trying to “grow” because you think you should The cashflow realities of NDIS and volume-based services Why scaling fast nearly broke the system How niching down changed everything The dynamic between a visionary tradie and a financially-minded partner Why sometimes the bravest move is shrinking What coaching actually is (and why it’s not us telling you what to do) How confidence in the numbers reduces relationship tension Why doing the uncomfortable thing (like firing staff) changes everything Donna also shares what she loves most about coaching — helping tradie couples back themselves, reduce the stress, and finally build a business that supports their life instead of consuming it. This episode is a powerful reminder that: You don’t have to do it alone. You don’t have to grow big to grow well. And sometimes the woman behind the tradie becomes the leader who changes everything. Check out: https://www.ladieswithtradies.com Think there could be an extra $10K a month hiding in your tradie business? The $10K Hour helps you look at your real numbers, spot where money is leaking, and choose the strategies that could put it back in your pocket. It’s just $9 , you can do it privately in your own time, and if you don’t find $10K, Kate will refund your $9 and give you $200 for your troubles . 👉 Find your $10K here: https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/the-10k-hour What if there was an extra $10K+ per month already sitting inside your tradie business and you just weren't capturing it? That's exactly what we're going to prove at this live, in-person workshop. Bring your numbers. We'll find the money. Register here 👉 https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/horsham-2026-10khour 🎧 Ready to take your tradie business to the next level? Are You Paying Your Staff Too Much? Find out in just 5 minutes whether your labour costs are eating into your profit and what your numbers could be telling you. 👉 https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/resources/are-you-paying-your-staff-too-much 💡 The Empowered Tradie Business Program (FREE) Get clarity, structure, and direction in your business—without the overwhelm. 👉 https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/empowered-tradie-program 📞 Find ‘What To Fix First’ Not sure what’s holding your business back? Let’s figure it out together. 👉 https://links.ladieswithtradies.com/widget/bookings/30min_chatdirect
January 20, 2026Episode 5245 min
EP. 52 Wired Different, Not Broken: ADHD, Burnout & Why So Many Tradies Struggle
This week on the podcast, Kate sits down with Kayla from Dopamine & Co , an ADHD coach who truly gets the construction industry — because she’s lived it. With nearly a decade in commercial construction before moving into coaching, Kayla brings a rare mix of lived experience, deep understanding, and straight-talking honesty to a topic that’s still surrounded by stigma: neurodivergence in adults — especially tradies . In this wide-ranging and refreshingly honest conversation, Kate and Kayla unpack why so many people in the trades are unknowingly navigating ADHD, autism, and burnout — and the toll it takes when it goes unrecognised. They dive into emotional dysregulation, rejection sensitivity, masking, task paralysis, and the brutal inner critic that keeps so many tradies stuck in survival mode. You’ll also hear why burnout isn’t “just needing a weekend off”, how neurodivergent burnout hits differently, and what actually helps — beyond medication alone. Most importantly, this episode flips the script. Instead of asking “what’s wrong with me?” , Kayla explains how learning to work with your brain — not against it — can change everything in business, relationships, and life. What You’ll Hear in This Episode Why the trades attract so many neurodivergent people Emotional dysregulation and rejection sensitivity explained in real terms The hidden cost of masking at work — and why it shows up at home What burnout really looks like (and why it can take months to recover) ADHD, task paralysis, and why “just do the thing” doesn’t work Why forcing yourself into systems that don’t fit creates resentment Strength-based coaching vs trying to “fix” yourself Medication, coaching, and lifestyle changes — what actually helps Simple check-ins to regulate emotions before things explode ✨ Key Takeaway You’re not lazy, broken, or failing — you might just be wired differently. When you stop fighting your brain and start working with it, everything gets easier. Check out Kayla on her website and Instagram: https://dopamineandco.com/home https://www.instagram.com/adhdcoachkayla/ Think there could be an extra $10K a month hiding in your tradie business? The $10K Hour helps you look at your real numbers, spot where money is leaking, and choose the strategies that could put it back in your pocket. It’s just $9 , you can do it privately in your own time, and if you don’t find $10K, Kate will refund your $9 and give you $200 for your troubles . 👉 Find your $10K here: https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/the-10k-hour What if there was an extra $10K+ per month already sitting inside your tradie business and you just weren't capturing it? That's exactly what we're going to prove at this live, in-person workshop. Bring your numbers. We'll find the money. Register here 👉 https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/horsham-2026-10khour 🎧 Ready to take your tradie business to the next level? Are You Paying Your Staff Too Much? Find out in just 5 minutes whether your labour costs are eating into your profit and what your numbers could be telling you. 👉 https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/resources/are-you-paying-your-staff-too-much 💡 The Empowered Tradie Business Program (FREE) Get clarity, structure, and direction in your business—without the overwhelm. 👉 https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/empowered-tradie-program 📞 Find ‘What To Fix First’ Not sure what’s holding your business back? Let’s figure it out together. 👉 https://links.ladieswithtradies.com/widget/bookings/30min_chatdirect
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