Welcome to the Off The Tools Podcast, where two of the UK's best trade business coaches, Wayne Bettess & Andrew Jones, deliver tons of free value week in week out to help trade business owners level up their business and more importantly themselves. Wayne Bettess & Andrew Jones are passionate entrepreneurs & trade business owners themselves who are committed to personal and professional development. on this channel, Wayne & Andy share their wisdom on mindset, self-development, and offer glimpses into how to create a life that is one of choice and freedom.
Listen to episodes
60 recent
June 11, 2026Episode 310 min
#31 Free Live Q & A ... Get Registered NOW
đ„Free Live Q&A for Tradesmen: Managing Diaries, Cash Flow & Business Overwhelm đ„đđ» Register for free - https://streamyard.com/watch/yzh2jq8gxVDHWe're hosting a completely free live Q&A session designed specifically for busy tradesmen struggling with managing their diaries, cash flow, and the overall overwhelm of running a business. Join me and my business partner Wayne Bettess on June 16th at 7:00 PM on Zoom. You can participate by posting questions anonymously, or simply sit back and listen. Register using the link provided to secure your spot.đđ» Register for free - https://streamyard.com/watch/yzh2jq8gxVDHâïž#TradesmenBusiness #BusinessManagement #CashFlowTips #LiveQA #SmallBusinessOwners #TradesBusiness #BusinessOverwhelm #ZoomWebinar #FreeTraining #DiaryManagement
June 10, 2026Episode 3032 min
#30 The Retirement Trap No Tradesman Talks About | Exit Plans, Self-Employment & Building a Trade Business That Works
What happens when your body gives up⊠but your business still depends on you?In this powerful episode of the Off The Tools Podcast, Wayne Bettess and Andy Jones dive into the retirement trap no tradesman talks about â and why so many self-employed plumbers, heating engineers, electricians and tradesmen unknowingly build themselves a job with no exit strategy.If youâre a self-employed tradesman, business owner, sole trader or subcontractor, this conversation will challenge the way you think about money, freedom, retirement, recurring revenue and long-term business growth.Because hereâs the uncomfortable truth:Most tradesmen donât have an exit plan⊠they just plan to keep working.And when your income is tied to your body, that becomes a serious problem.Why most self-employed tradesmen have no retirement planThe dangerous trap of relying on your body to earn moneyWhy self-employment without systems becomes a stressful jobHow to create an exit strategy from your trade businessThe truth about pensions, recurring revenue & business valueWhy many tradesmen stay stuck in survival modeHow to stop trading time for money foreverWhy âworking harderâ isnât a long-term strategyBuilding a trades business that creates freedom, profit & securityHow recurring income changes everything in a plumbing, heating or electrical businessâ Tradesmen business coachingâ Plumbing business coaching UKâ Heating engineer business adviceâ Gas engineer business growthâ Self-employed tradesman adviceâ Exit planning for trades businessesâ Boiler care plans & recurring revenueâ How to grow a profitable trade businessâ Retirement planning for self-employed tradesmenâ Building a trade business that works without youâ Scaling a plumbing or heating businessâ Freedom, time & profit for tradespeopleAre you building a business⊠or just building yourself a job youâll never escape from?Wayne and Andy unpack the harsh reality that many self-employed tradesmen work harder every year but never build security for the future.From burnout and poor health to financial pressure and lack of planning, they explain why the traditional âjust work harderâ mindset no longer works in the trades industry.More importantlyâŠThey reveal how to start building something that creates time, freedom, profit and long-term stability â without needing a massive team or huge company.Self-employed plumbersHeating engineers & gas engineersElectricians & buildersSole traders feeling trapped in the day-to-day grindTrades business owners wanting more freedomAnyone looking for tradesmen business coachingTradespeople wanting to future-proof their business & incomeSelf-employment is not the goal. Freedom is.And freedom comes from building a business with systems, recurring revenue, better pricing and a plan for the future â not just working harder for longer.If your retirement plan is simply to âkeep goingââŠYou donât have a plan.đ„ In This Episode:âïž Topics Covered:đ„ The Big Question:đ Perfect For:đŻ Key Takeaway:
June 3, 2026Episode 2940 min
#29 Self-Employed vs Employed Tradesmen | Why Going Self-Employed Isnât Always Better (The Truth Nobody Talks About)
Is going self-employed really the dream⊠or is it one of the biggest myths in the trades industry?In this powerful episode of the Off The Tools Podcast, Wayne Bettess and Andy Jones tackle one of the biggest and most controversial topics in the trade world:Should you stay employed or go self-employed?If you're a plumber, heating engineer, electrician, builder, gas engineer or tradesman considering going out on your own â or currently struggling with self-employment â this episode could save you years of stress, burnout and financial pressure.Because hereâs the truthâŠSelf-employed doesnât automatically mean more money, more freedom or a better life.Wayne and Andy break down the REAL numbers behind employed vs self-employed tradesmen, uncover hidden costs nobody talks about, and explain why many tradespeople accidentally build themselves the worst job in the world.Self-employed vs employed tradesmen explainedWhy going self-employed isnât always an upgradeThe REAL income comparison between employed & self-employed engineersHidden costs of running a trade business nobody talks aboutWhy good tradesmen still struggle in businessHow modern customers have changed the gameWhy âdoing a good jobâ alone is no longer enoughHow stress, burnout & financial pressure destroy trades businessesWhy many tradesmen become trapped in self-employmentHow to think like a business owner instead of just a tradesmanâ Tradesmen business coachingâ Plumbing business coachingâ Heating engineer business adviceâ Gas engineer self-employment adviceâ Running a trades business in the UKâ Trade business growth strategiesâ Self-employed vs employed plumberâ How to grow a successful trades businessâ Job management software for tradesmenâ Marketing for trade businessesâ Pricing, profit & cash flow for trades businessesAre you actually building a businessâŠOr have you just built yourself a stressful, low-paid job?Wayne and Andy discuss why many tradesmen end up overworked, underpaid and overwhelmed â working longer hours for less reward than a good employed engineer.They also reveal what separates the tradesmen who thrive from the ones who stay stuck.Self-employed plumbersHeating engineers & gas engineersElectricians & buildersTradesmen thinking about going self-employedStruggling sole tradersTrades business owners feeling overwhelmedAnyone wanting more profit, time & freedom in their trade businessBeing self-employed is NOT the goal.Building a profitable, secure, stress-free life is.Whether that means employment, self-employment, or building a proper business â the key is making the right decision for YOU and your family.Because in 2026, being a good tradesman alone is no longer enough.đ„ In This Episode:âïž Topics Covered:đ„ The Big Question:đ Perfect For:đŻ Key Takeaway:
May 27, 2026Episode 2828 min
#28 The Breaking Point | How Trades Businesses Collapse Under Pressure (And How To Prevent It)
In this episode of the Off The Tools Podcast, Wayne Bettess and Andy Jones break down the brutal reality of what happens when a trades business hits breaking point.This isnât theory.Itâs real-world experience from running and scaling heating businesses through staffing problems, cash flow pressure, lost engineers, lead shortages, tax bills, burnout, and business chaos.If youâre a plumber, heating engineer, electrician, builder, or trades business owner trying to grow your company, this episode is essential listening.Because most trades businesses donât collapse overnightâŠThey crack slowly under pressure.And by the time most owners notice the warning signs â itâs already too late.Why trades businesses become fragileThe danger of relying on subcontracting workWhat happens when engineers leave at the wrong timeWhy poor cash flow destroys good businessesThe importance of recurring revenue & service plansHow to build a stronger, more stable trades businessWhy âbeing busyâ hides serious problemsStaffing, hiring & protecting your business from collapseHow software & systems help prevent chaosThe real reason most trades businesses stay reactiveâ Trades business coachingâ Plumbing business growthâ Heating engineer business adviceâ Scaling a trades businessâ Service plans for tradesmenâ Cash flow management for trades businessesâ Business systems & softwareâ Recruitment for trade companiesâ Avoiding burnout & overwhelmâ Building a profitable trade businessA busy diary does NOT mean you have a healthy business.If:One engineer leaving would cripple youâŠOne contract disappearing would destroy cash flowâŠOne quiet month would send you into panic modeâŠâŠthen your business is fragile.Wayne and Andy explain how to build real stability, stronger foundations, and a business that can survive pressure without falling apart.Plumbing business ownersHeating engineersElectriciansBuilders & contractorsTradesmen starting a businessBusiness owners feeling overwhelmed or stretchedAnyone wanting more security, profit & controlRecurring revenue & service plansJob management software for trades businessesStaff onboarding & recruitmentBuilding cash reservesLead generation strategiesThe dangers of subcontracting dependencyOff The Tools live Q&A webinarâïž Pressure reveals the truth about your business.The question isâŠWill your business survive when the pressure hits?đ„ In This Episode:â ïž Key Topics Covered:đ„ Key Takeaway:đ Perfect For:đą Mentioned In This Episode:register for the next webinar here - https://streamyard.com/watch/yzh2jq8gxVDH
May 20, 2026Episode 2531 min
#27 Ego Is Killing Your Trades Business | Why Most Tradesmen Stay Stuck & Burn Out
In this powerful episode of the Off The Tools Podcast, Wayne Bettess and Andy Jones dive deep into one of the biggest things holding tradesmen back from building successful businessesâŠđ Their ego.From refusing helpâŠTo trying to be the heroâŠTo believing âworking harderâ is the answerâŠThis episode exposes why so many plumbers, heating engineers, electricians, builders, and trades business owners stay trapped on the tools, overwhelmed, stressed, and unable to grow.If youâve ever said:âIâll just do it myselfââNobody can do it as good as meââI donât need helpââIâm too busy to stopââŠthen this episode is for you.Wayne and Andy break down the mindset shifts required to move from being just a tradesman⊠to becoming a real business owner.Why ego keeps tradesmen stuck on the toolsThe danger of trying to be the âheroâ in your businessWhy being busy DOESNâT mean your business is healthyHow refusing help kills growth and freedomThe mindset shift required to scale a trades businessWhy great tradesmen still fail in businessDelegation, leadership & letting go of controlThe real reason some trades businesses stay small foreverWhy systems & support matter more than ever in 2026Being the best engineer, plumber, electrician or builder is no longer enough.The trades businesses winning today are the ones building systems, teams, processes, and support around themselves â instead of trying to carry everything alone.Your ego might feel like strengthâŠBut it could actually be the thing destroying your growth, profit, time, and family life.Plumbers & heating engineersElectricians & buildersTradesmen starting a businessOverworked business ownersTrades business coaching clientsAnyone wanting more freedom, profit & controlTrades business coaching UKBusiness mindset for tradesmenScaling a trades businessDelegation in businessTradesman burnoutLeadership for trade business ownersPricing & profitabilitySystems for trades businessesWhy tradesmen stay stuckâïž Most tradesmen donât fail because they lack skill.They fail because they refuse to evolve.The moment you get out of your own wayâŠEverything changes.đ„ In This Episode:đ„ Key Takeaway:đŻ Perfect For:đ Topics Covered:regisiter for next webinar here - https://streamyard.com/watch/yzh2jq8gxVDH
May 13, 2026Episode 261 hr 5 min
#26 Close More Jobs & Boost Revenue: The Best CRM & Automation Software for Tradesmen? | Trades Business Coaching UK
Most trades businesses are losing jobs every single weekâŠNot because theyâre bad at the work.Because their systems, follow-up, and customer communication are weak.In this episode of the Off The Tools Podcast, Wayne and Andy break down how modern trades businesses are using CRM systems, automations, AI, and customer journeys to close more work, improve customer experience, and massively increase revenue.This is a deep dive into Sales Lion, a powerful sales and automation platform built specifically around the needs of UK trades businesses.If youâre a plumber, heating engineer, electrician, builder, or trades business owner looking to grow properly â this episode will open your eyes.Why most trades businesses lose leads without realising itHow automation helps close more boiler installs & service jobsBuilding customer journeys that increase conversions automaticallyHow review systems generate hundreds of 5-star reviewsUsing AI phone answering for out-of-hours enquiriesWhy follow-up systems are more important than ever in 2026The power of recurring revenue & automated service remindersHow to stop relying on memory, paper diaries, and chaosWhy tradesmen must start thinking like business ownersThe best trades businesses today are NOT winning because theyâre the best on the toolsâŠTheyâre winning because they have better systems, faster follow-up, stronger communication, and smarter automation.Plumbing business ownersHeating engineers & boiler companiesElectricians & service-based tradesTradesmen wanting more leads & better conversion ratesAnyone looking for business coaching for tradesmenTrades businesses wanting to scale without more stressCRM software for tradesmenAutomation systems for plumbing & heating companiesAI for trades businessesBoiler service reminder systemsLead follow-up automationCustomer review systemsTrades business coaching UKSales systems for trade businessesđČ Want to grow a proper business instead of just surviving week to week?Visit Off The Tools and learn how to build systems that actually scale.âïž The trades industry is changing fast.The businesses embracing systems, automation, and modern customer communication will dominate the next 10 years.The rest will get left behind.đ„ Inside This Episode:đ„ Key Takeaway:đŻ Perfect For:đ Topics Covered:
May 6, 2026Episode 2529 min
#25 Tradesmen Business Coaching: What To Do When Your Trade Business Goes Quiet (Summer Survival Strategy)
If your phoneâs stopped ringing⊠this is the episode you need.In this no-nonsense episode of the Off The Tools Podcast, we break down exactly what tradesmen should be doing when business goes quiet â especially during the summer slowdown.Most trades business owners panic, sit back, or accept âit is what it is.âThat mindset is exactly why they stay stuck.This episode flips that on its head.We cover real, practical business coaching for tradesmen, including:Why your trade business REALLY goes quiet (and itâs not just the season)How to use slow periods to build a stronger, more profitable businessThe biggest mistakes tradesmen make when work drops offWhy the âold waysâ of running a trades business no longer workHow to build systems, structure, and recurring revenue (like service plans)The importance of strategy, time management, and money controlWhy most tradesmen avoid risk â and how thatâs holding them backHow to create purpose in your business to avoid burnout and stagnationThis is real-world trades business coaching, based on whatâs actually working right now in UK trade businesses â not theory, not fluff.đ„ Key Takeaway:Quiet periods donât kill businessesâŠDoing NOTHING during them does.đŻ Perfect for:Plumbers, heating engineers, electricians & trades business ownersAnyone experiencing a drop in work or seasonal slowdownTradesmen looking for business coaching that actually worksBusiness owners wanting more structure, profit, and controlđČ Want to stop relying on luck and start running a proper business?Go to Off The Tools and take control.đ If youâre serious about growth:Use the quiet season to buildâŠOr stay stuck repeating the same cycle every year.
April 29, 2026Episode 2438 min
#24 - Tradesmen Business Coaching: Why Most Trades Businesses Hit the Wall (And How to Break Through It)
In this episode of the Off The Tools Podcast, we dive deep into the reality of building and scaling a trades business â and why so many tradesmen hit a wall in business, mindset, and growth.This isnât theory. This is real-world business coaching for tradesmen, pulled straight from lived experience â from running heating companies to coaching hundreds of UK trades business owners.We break down:Why trades businesses get stuck despite being âbusyâThe truth about mindset in the trades industry (and why it holds most people back)How to build resilience, grit, and discipline as a business ownerThe importance of community and surrounding yourself with the right peopleLessons from extreme challenges (like running a marathon) and how they directly apply to business growthWhy most tradesmen stay in the 99%⊠and how to move into the top 1%Real insights from trades business coaching that actually works in the fieldIf youâre a plumber, heating engineer, electrician, or trades business owner who wants more time, profit, and control, this episode will hit home.đ Whether you're struggling with growth, mindset, staff, or direction â this is the kind of no-fluff business coaching for tradesmen that gets results.đ„ Key Takeaway:You WILL hit the wall in business.The difference is whether you stop⊠or push through it.đŻ Perfect for:Tradesmen looking for business coachingHeating engineers, plumbers, electricians growing their businessUK trades business owners stuck in the day-to-dayAnyone wanting to move from âon the toolsâ to running a real businessđČ Want help building your trades business properly?Start here đ Off The Tools
April 22, 2026Episode 2325 min
#23 Flat Out Busy⊠Still Broke? Hereâs Why
Youâre grafting every day.Diaryâs full. Phoneâs ringing. Jobs stacked upâŠBut when you check the bank account?đ Thereâs nothing in it.Sound familiar?In this episode, we break down one of the most common problems in the trades right now â being busy but still broke â and why itâs happening to so many lads across the UK.We cover:Why underpricing is killing your profit (and how it starts)The real reason your numbers donât workHow poor structure and lack of systems are draining your time and moneyWhy taking the wrong jobs is keeping you stuckThe truth about âgoing ratesâ (and why theyâre wrong)How small inefficiencies are costing you thousands over the yearThis isnât about working harderâŠItâs about fixing whatâs broken behind the scenes.Because the reality is â most tradesmen arenât short of workâŠTheyâre short of structure, pricing, and control.đČ Want help fixing it?Reach out, grab the pricing calculator, or book a call â no fluff, just straight answers.
April 15, 2026Episode 2239 min
#22 You Donât Need More Leads⊠Youâre Just Wasting the Ones Youâve Got
Everyoneâs shouting the same thingâŠđ âI need more leads.âBut hereâs the truth most tradesmen donât want to hearâŠYou donât have a lead problem â youâve got a systems, speed, and customer experience problem.In this episode, we break down why throwing more money at lead generation is actually making things worse for most businesses⊠and what you should be fixing instead.We cover:Why most tradesmen canât handle more leads anywayThe real reason jobs arenât convertingHow poor first impressions are killing your businessWhy answering the phone properly matters more than marketingThe power of speed, quoting systems, and customer journeyWhy consistency beats skill in todayâs marketIf youâre missing calls, slow to quote, or still doing everything manually⊠youâre not losing work because of leads â youâre losing it because of how your business runs.This is the shift most tradesmen refuse to makeâŠAnd itâs exactly why they stay stuck.đČ Want to fix your systems and actually grow properly?Reach out, get involved, and start building a business that converts â not just one that stays busy.
Is this your show?
Claim this listing to keep it up to date, reach guests who want to pitch you, and manage bookings with Guestify.
