Sparky Coach

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325

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Aug 2026

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🌴 Make money. Build wealth. Be kind. 📈 We help sparkies build generational empires 🎙️ 3 x podcasts out weekly

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August 19, 202625 min

#325 // Business Lessons From Monopoly with Greg Crowe

Ah Monopoly, maybe the greatest game of all?!?!?! Today we take out some lessons from the greatest game of all including, but not limited to: -seeing business as a game of revenue, net profit + purpose -how to best play the entrepreneurial game of creating something from nothing -getting used to weekly rhythms -the importance of boot strapping (ie spending less than you earn + self funding future growth) -how to prepare for your lucky breaks (which will happen!) -why you need to be adaptive -learning how to win (and lose sometimes!) I really hope this inspires you + propels you on your way to fulfilling your trade god destiny of making money, building wealth + being kind. Enjoy the pod x Summary Greg Crowe shares practical insights on building a sustainable and profitable business, emphasizing the importance of mindset, financial discipline, and adaptability. This episode offers valuable lessons for entrepreneurs aiming to grow wisely and intentionally. Keywords business growth, financial discipline, entrepreneurship, profit margins, adaptability, mindset, wealth building, business strategy, Monopoly analogy, business lessons Key Topics The danger of starting a business with no resistance The importance of training and improving skills Understanding profit margins and financial health Using Monopoly as a metaphor for business strategy The significance of spending less than earning The role of luck and preparation in business success The importance of patience and time in wealth building Adapting strategies based on circumstances Learning to win and lose gracefully in business Chapters 00:00 The danger of starting a business with no resistance 02:27 Understanding revenue, gross profit, and net profit 05:44 The importance of collecting payments promptly 07:38 The value of financial education and discipline 09:03 The power of compound interest and long-term planning 10:25 Luck, strategy, and the role of preparation 12:16 The importance of patience and time in success 13:44 Adapting strategies and learning to pivot 17:57 Learning to win and lose in business 18:56 Simplifying business and focusing on core metrics

August 15, 202632 min

#324 // 3 Business Lessons In 3 years with Greg Crowe

Happy 3rd birthday to Sparky Coach! Today Greg Crowe takes us his most important takeaways in the last 3 years of running a product based business. Lesson 1 // Slow down. Lesson 2 // Cheer up. Lesson 3 // Chill out. Enjoy the pod! Much love xx Summary Greg Crowe shares three essential lessons learned over three years of business, emphasizing the importance of purpose, focus, and patience in building a successful and fulfilling business and life. Keywords business lessons, purpose, focus, patience, entrepreneurship, personal development, business growth, life balance Key Topics The importance of purpose in business Focusing on long-term goals The significance of patience and timing Balancing business growth with personal happiness The role of focus and automation in efficiency Takeaways Find your purpose before scaling your business Slow down to focus on what truly matters Fill your happiness cup to perform at your best Good things take time, patience is key Align your business goals with your personal values Sound Bites "Slow down for purpose and focus" "Find your why and purpose" "Good things take time, patience is key" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Greg Crowe's Business Journey 02:47 Three Lessons in Three Years 03:13 The Byron Bay Sign and Business Cycles 06:01 Slow Down for Purpose and Focus 08:52 Finding Your Why and Purpose 11:07 The Importance of Knowing Your 15-Year Plan 12:33 The Power of Focus and Automation 15:57 The Role of Passion and Purpose 18:48 Chill Out and Patience in Business 22:13 Filling Your Happiness Cup 25:00 Balancing Revenue, Profit, and Purpose 30:38 Building a Long-Term Business of Substance

July 24, 202631 min

#323 // Why Boring Businesses Win with Greg Crowe

Doing the same thing twice and getting an excellent result is sexy. Revenue must exceed expenditure. Daily. Weekly. Monthly. Yearly. Closed jobs must hit north of 20%++. Every time. Every day. No excuses. Ongoing jobs must be on a pathway to make north of 20%. Every time. No excuses. Labour efficiency must hit its targets. Allocation. Utilisation. Quality. Be excellent. On site. Off site. Communication. Vision. Mission. Staff. Clients. Materials. Admin. Everything must be excellent. And to do things that work you must repeat similar (or the same) tasks. Every day. Every week. Every month. Every year. For decades. Until you stop. And repeating similar (or the same) tasks gets boring. Sure it works! But it’s monotonous. Sure it works! But it’s mundane. So you need to find the sexy in monotony. Find the sexy in mundane. Find the sexy in doing the same thing twice and getting an excellent result. Get stuck on the hamster wheel that’s sexy. And then repeat it. For decades. Enjoy the pod x Summary Greg Crowe shares insights on how consistent, boring business practices can lead to long-term success. He emphasizes the importance of sticking to what works, maintaining excellence, and focusing on relationships and profitability over time. Keywords business success, consistency, profitability, excellence, business growth, long-term strategy Key Topics The concept of positive hamster cycles in business Importance of sticking to proven strategies Maintaining 20-40% net profit on jobs Labor efficiency and quality of work The role of the office in business profitability The importance of being excellent and service quality Long-term focus over short-term gains The value of continuous improvement Titles The Power of Boring Business Success Why Consistency Wins in Business Chapters 00:00 Introduction: Why Boring Businesses Win 00:30 The Negative and Positive Hamster Wheels 01:23 Getting Stuck in a Positive Cycle 02:17 Remembering When Your Business Worked 03:16 Diverting from What Works 04:13 The Power of Consistency and Boredom 05:11 Revenue and Expenditure: The Basics 06:35 Introducing Dave: The Business App 08:29 Avoiding the Shadowy Place: Jobs Under 20% Net Profit 09:23 Gross Profit vs. Net Profit 10:16 The Importance of Paying Yourself a Market Wage 11:14 Managing Ongoing Jobs for Profitability 12:43 Learning from Job Mishandling 14:12 Checking Job Profitability and Labor Efficiency 16:25 Opportunity Cost and Office Time 18:01 The Value of Office Management and Quotes 19:44 The Cost of Rushing and Mistakes 21:06 The Power of Chasing Subcontractors 22:07 The Money is Made in the Office 23:27 The Core Values: Make Money, Build Wealth, Be Kind 24:28 Be Excellent: The Key to Business Success 26:46 The Importance of Quality and Communication 28:10 Progressing in Business: The Car Park Analogy 29:36 The Boring Path to Success 30:34 Final Thoughts: Consistency and Excellence

July 21, 202627 min

#322 // “Five Simple Ways To Make More Money In Your Electrical Business (Part 8) with Greg Crowe

Making money is easy when you know how. The trouble is, sometimes we get busy and conveniently forget the ways to make money. The truth is that it’s not that complicated, it’s actually a very simple concept. In this podcast series we go through the 5 simple ways to make more money in your electrical business which are as follows: -weekly revenue exceeds weekly expenditure (ie profit / loss) -the jobs that are starting and finishing every week (ie “closed jobs”) are at a solid net profit -the jobs that are running over weeks + months(ie “open jobs”) are on their way to making a solid net profit -all paid hours are allocated to a job (ie “labour efficiency”) -all hours completed are effective + efficient (ie “quality of hours”) Sometimes it’s in the moments when we peel ourselves away from the mundane day to day grind where we can see how simple running a business really is. The goal? That revenue would consistently hit significantly above expenditure. Be kind. Repeat. May these words inspire you as you proceed on your journey of making money, building wealth + being kind. Much love, Crowe Summary In this episode, Greg Crowe dives into the crucial aspects of labor efficiency in electrical businesses, emphasizing the importance of measuring paid vs. allocated hours, utilization, and quality of work. He shares practical insights and stories to help business owners optimize their operations and boost profitability. Keywords labor efficiency, electrical business, productivity, utilization, profitability, business growth, labor management, efficiency metrics Key Topics Labor efficiency metrics: paid vs. allocated hours, utilization, quality Importance of measuring and controlling overheads and break-even rates The impact of quality hours on profitability and business growth Stories illustrating low-quality work despite good utilization Strategies for effective labor management and scheduling Takeaways Every hour must have a clear purpose and a 'home' in your business. Utilization and allocation are separate metrics; both must be optimized. Quality of hours is subjective but crucial; it impacts profitability. Controlling break-even rates is essential for sustainable profit. Regularly review and adjust labor metrics to prevent low-quality work and inefficiencies. Titles Mastering Labor Efficiency in Your Electrical Business The 3 Key Metrics to Boost Your Electrical Business Profitability Sound bites "Make sure weekly revenue exceeds expenditure" "Your numbers show you everything about your business" "Labor hours must have a clear 'home' in your business" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to labor efficiency and its importance 09:28 Measuring paid vs. allocated hours 09:57 Understanding utilization and break-even rates 10:24 The significance of hours having a 'home' in your business 11:22 Defining roles and expectations for staff 12:48 Controlling break-even rates and overheads 15:13 Assessing overheads and overhead drop 16:11 The difference between allocation and utilization 17:34 The importance of quality hours and subjective measurement 19:29 Stories illustrating low-quality work despite good metrics 26:04 Final tips on daily and weekly labor management

July 7, 202635 min

#321 // “Five Simple Ways To Make More Money In Your Electrical Business (Part 7) with Greg Crowe

Making money is easy when you know how. The trouble is, sometimes we get busy and conveniently forget the ways to make money. The truth is that it’s not that complicated, it’s actually a very simple concept. In this podcast series we go through the 5 simple ways to make more money in your electrical business which are as follows: -weekly revenue exceeds weekly expenditure (ie profit / loss) -the jobs that are starting and finishing every week (ie “closed jobs”) are at a solid net profit -the jobs that are running over weeks + months(ie “open jobs”) are on their way to making a solid net profit -all paid hours are allocated to a job (ie “labour efficiency”) -all hours completed are effective + efficient (ie “quality of hours”) Sometimes it’s in the moments when we peel ourselves away from the mundane day to day grind where we can see how simple running a business really is. The goal? That revenue would consistently hit significantly above expenditure. Be kind. Repeat. May these words inspire you as you proceed on your journey of making money, building wealth + being kind. Much love, Crowe Summary In this episode, Greg Crowe shares essential strategies for managing and maximizing profitability in electrical businesses. From understanding break-even rates to optimizing project management and quality of hours, learn how to make smarter decisions that grow your business. Keywords Electrical Business, Profitability, Project Management, Break-even Rate, Cost Control, Job Estimation, Quality of Hours, Contractor Relationships Key Topics Understanding and controlling break-even rates Effective project staging and claiming Choosing the right contractors and suppliers Managing project scope and variations Ensuring quality of hours and team organization Using metrics like gross and net profit per hour Importance of site walkthroughs and variation management Strategic decision-making in ongoing jobs Titles Mastering Profit in Electrical Business: 12 Key Strategies How to Control Costs and Maximize Profit in Electrical Projects Sound Bites "Make more money by managing your costs and projects" "Know your margins before you start a project" "Quality of hours is subjective but crucial" Chapters 00:00 Understanding Financial Metrics in Electrical Business 05:06 The Importance of Ongoing Job Management 09:51 Evaluating Project Viability and Margins 15:00 Building Strong Relationships with Contractors 19:54 Maximizing Profitability Through Quality Management

July 4, 202628 min

#320 // “Five Simple Ways To Make More Money In Your Electrical Business (Part 6) with Greg Crowe

Making money is easy when you know how. The trouble is, sometimes we get busy and conveniently forget the ways to make money. The truth is that it’s not that complicated, it’s actually a very simple concept. In this podcast series we go through the 5 simple ways to make more money in your electrical business which are as follows: -weekly revenue exceeds weekly expenditure (ie profit / loss) -the jobs that are starting and finishing every week (ie “closed jobs”) are at a solid net profit -the jobs that are running over weeks + months(ie “open jobs”) are on their way to making a solid net profit -all paid hours are allocated to a job (ie “labour efficiency”) -all hours completed are effective + efficient (ie “quality of hours”) Sometimes it’s in the moments when we peel ourselves away from the mundane day to day grind where we can see how simple running a business really is. The goal? That revenue would consistently hit significantly above expenditure. Be kind. Repeat. May these words inspire you as you proceed on your journey of making money, building wealth + being kind. Much love, Crowe Summary Greg Crowe shares insights on managing electrical business projects, emphasizing the importance of accurate quoting, effective communication between office and site, and fostering a positive company culture to ensure profitability and growth. Keywords Electrical Business, Project Management, Quoting, Business Growth, Company Culture Key Topics Importance of accurate quoting and formulas Communication between office and site Open book pricing and transparency Staff management and culture Financial metrics: gross profit, net profit, revenue Long-term business planning and growth strategies Takeaways Getting the quote right from the office is crucial for project success. Open communication and transparency with clients can lead to more contracts. Regular staff check-ins improve team cohesion and performance. Focus on people, processes, and numbers to build a sustainable business. Visualizing your future business helps set clear goals. Titles Mastering Electrical Business Projects: From Quoting to Culture The Secret to Profitable Electrical Projects Sound Bites "It's so important to get the formula right from the office." "Open book pricing can flip the client from doubt to yes." "You manage people, and that’s the key to success." Chapters 00:00 The Importance of Accurate Quoting 05:09 Balancing Office and On-Site Operations 09:28 The Role of Transparency in Client Relationships 14:15 Building a Strong Team Culture 19:33 Financial Growth and Business Sustainability 24:16 Vision for the Future: Planning for Success

July 2, 202622 min

#319 // “Five Simple Ways To Make More Money In Your Electrical Business (Part 5) with Greg Crowe

Making money is easy when you know how. The trouble is, sometimes we get busy and conveniently forget the ways to make money. The truth is that it’s not that complicated, it’s actually a very simple concept. In this podcast series we go through the 5 simple ways to make more money in your electrical business which are as follows: -weekly revenue exceeds weekly expenditure (ie profit / loss) -the jobs that are starting and finishing every week (ie “closed jobs”) are at a solid net profit -the jobs that are running over weeks + months(ie “open jobs”) are on their way to making a solid net profit -all paid hours are allocated to a job (ie “labour efficiency”) -all hours completed are effective + efficient (ie “quality of hours”) Sometimes it’s in the moments when we peel ourselves away from the mundane day to day grind where we can see how simple running a business really is. The goal? That revenue would consistently hit significantly above expenditure. Be kind. Repeat. May these words inspire you as you proceed on your journey of making money, building wealth + being kind. Much love, Crowe Summary In this episode, Greg Crowe shares practical insights on managing ongoing jobs, quoting strategies, controlling your calendar, and understanding your break-even rates to improve profitability and business growth. Keywords business management, quoting strategies, break-even rates, project management, electrical business, construction, business growth, time management Key Topics Managing ongoing jobs over 20k to 2 million+ The importance of quoting and follow-up questions Controlling your calendar and time management Understanding and calculating break-even rates The role of contracts and pricing in project success Building relationships with clients and staff Lessons learned from business growth and mistakes The importance of quality work and materials Takeaways Ongoing jobs over 20k are the easiest to get wrong but hardest to fix. Always allocate 30-60 minutes to review quotes before sending. Your calendar reflects your priorities; control it to control your business. Know your break-even rates, including fixed and variable costs. Build strong relationships with clients and staff for long-term success. Mistakes in quoting and project management can be costly but teach valuable lessons. Focus on quality materials and workmanship to ensure work stands the test of time. Be aware of market rates and adjust your pricing accordingly. Titles Mastering Ongoing Jobs: Strategies for Electrical Business Success How to Control Your Calendar and Boost Profitability Sound Bites "Ongoing jobs over 20k are the easiest to get wrong." "Your calendar reflects your priorities." "Know your break-even rates to stay profitable." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Managing Ongoing Jobs 00:30 Common Mistakes in Quoting and How to Avoid Them 01:55 The Importance of Reviewing Quotes and Asking Good Questions 02:50 Controlling Your Calendar and Time Management 04:17 The Power of a Well-Structured Schedule 05:43 Sending Quotes: Pleasing Both Present and Future Clients 07:12 Building Long-Term Relationships and Forecasting 09:34 Handling Difficult Conversations with Clients 10:56 Lessons from Business Growth and Mistakes 12:48 The Value of Experience and Continuous Learning 15:09 Understanding Break-Even Rates and Cost Components 17:27 Controlling Overheads and Variable Costs 19:50 Final Thoughts: Avoiding Costly Mistakes in Quoting

June 29, 202630 min

#318 // “Five Simple Ways To Make More Money In Your Electrical Business (Part 4) with Greg Crowe

Making money is easy when you know how. The trouble is, sometimes we get busy and conveniently forget the ways to make money. The truth is that it’s not that complicated, it’s actually a very simple concept. In this podcast series we go through the 5 simple ways to make more money in your electrical business which are as follows: -weekly revenue exceeds weekly expenditure (ie profit / loss) -the jobs that are starting and finishing every week (ie “closed jobs”) are at a solid net profit -the jobs that are running over weeks + months(ie “open jobs”) are on their way to making a solid net profit -all paid hours are allocated to a job (ie “labour efficiency”) -all hours completed are effective + efficient (ie “quality of hours”) Sometimes it’s in the moments when we peel ourselves away from the mundane day to day grind where we can see how simple running a business really is. The goal? That revenue would consistently hit significantly above expenditure. Be kind. Repeat. May these words inspire you as you proceed on your journey of making money, building wealth + being kind. Much love, Crowe Summary In this episode, Greg Crowe shares practical insights on how service industry businesses, especially electrical, solar, and aircon companies, can increase profitability by focusing on labor and materials, effective quoting, managing staff, and personal finance discipline. Keywords business profitability, service industry, labor and materials, quoting, staff management, personal finance, ongoing jobs, project management Key Topics Labor and materials split in service businesses Effective quoting and variation management Importance of personal and business budgets Managing staff performance and accountability Handling ongoing jobs and client relationships Titles Mastering Profit in Service Businesses: Greg Crowe's Top Strategies How to Use Labor as a Trojan Horse for Profit Sound Bites "Labor is a Trojan horse for profit" "20% of a higher number is a higher number" "Not all revenue is good revenue" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Profitability in Service Industries 02:30 Understanding Labor and Materials in Business 05:17 The Importance of Budgeting in Business 08:36 Time Management and Its Impact on Profitability 11:33 The Consequences of Poor Staffing Decisions 14:26 Identifying and Managing Underperforming Staff 17:16 The Ripple Effect of Bad Decisions in Business 20:38 The Importance of Client Relationships 23:31 Final Thoughts on Business Success

June 27, 202634 min

#317 // “Five Simple Ways To Make More Money In Your Electrical Business (Part 3) with Greg Crowe

Making money is easy when you know how. The trouble is, sometimes we get busy and conveniently forget the ways to make money. The truth is that it’s not that complicated, it’s actually a very simple concept. In this podcast series we go through the 5 simple ways to make more money in your electrical business which are as follows: -weekly revenue exceeds weekly expenditure (ie profit / loss) -the jobs that are starting and finishing every week (ie “closed jobs”) are at a solid net profit -the jobs that are running over weeks + months(ie “open jobs”) are on their way to making a solid net profit -all paid hours are allocated to a job (ie “labour efficiency”) -all hours completed are effective + efficient (ie “quality of hours”) Sometimes it’s in the moments when we peel ourselves away from the mundane day to day grind where we can see how simple running a business really is. The goal? Revenue exceeds expenditure. Be kind. Repeat. May these words inspire you as you proceed on your journey of making money, building wealth + being kind. Much love, Crowe Summary In this episode, Greg Crowe shares practical strategies to increase profitability in electrical, solar, and air conditioning businesses. He emphasizes the importance of consistent execution, effective quoting, and managing ongoing jobs to maximize net profit. Keywords Electrical Business, Solar Profit, Aircon Business, Profit Strategies, Quoting, Ongoing Jobs, Business Efficiency Key Topics Profitability in service businesses Effective quoting and variation management Ongoing job profitability tracking Importance of consistency and discipline Building relationships for ongoing work Titles 5 Simple Ways to Make More Money in Your Electrical Business How to Increase Profitability in Solar and Aircon Jobs Sound Bites "Let the content dictate the format." "20% of a higher number is a higher number." "Did I get the original price right?" Chapters 00:00 Maximizing Profit in Service Businesses 02:56 Understanding Profitability Metrics 06:12 The Importance of Consistency and Discipline 09:06 Evaluating Ongoing Jobs for Profitability 12:00 The Role of Reputation and Word of Mouth 14:51 Quoting and Pricing Strategies 17:46 Managing Variations and Client Expectations 21:10 The Value of Relationships in Business 24:01 Learning from Experience and Mistakes 26:55 The Importance of Communication in Business 30:09 Conclusion and Next Steps

June 24, 202620 min

#316 // Why You Should Raise Your Rates On July 1 (Part 2) with Greg Crowe

July 1 is coming up, and there really is no better time to consider a rise in rates + margins. Today we discuss 7 key items that will help you in your decision. Good / Excellent Relationships With Clients Is The Key Can you have hard conversations with your clients? Can you talk money with your clients? If you can’t, how strong is the relationship? Life, and business, is all about building relationships A good relationship is built on mutual respect, trust, transparency etc Don’t be scared to fill them in on what’s going on Avoid The Generic Email, Go And See People Or at worst case call them Imagine if someone is having a bad day, or your relationship is already on the rocks, and they get an email about your price rises Delivering the news in person you can gauge their emotions + also communicate effectively Definitely for all your major clients, everyone else can be just told along the way A generic email to 1000 clients should be absolute worst case scenario. Think Of What This Actually Means For Your Clients A GPO might go up $10-$15+ A 4 hour job might go up $40+ It’s honestly not that big of a deal Think Of What This Actually Means For Your Business Charging an additional $5 per person per hour = $40 per day = $200 per week = $10k per year Do this across 5 staff members that’s $50k straight to the bottom line Do this across 10 staff members that’s $100k straight to the bottom line Do this across 20 staff members that’s $200k straight to the bottom line Establish A Yearly Rhythm For Your Clients, Staff + Yourself Every year, your price will need to go up 3-5% Every year, your staff wages will need to go up 3-5% Every year, your wage will go up 3-5% in line with market value For the first year, this will feel uncomfortable. After 5 years, it will feel normal Don’t Overthink It It’s not something you have a say in, it’s company policy If you were the CEO, you would need to do this But Honestly, Sometimes OverThink It If you are making $2m a year and yo are genuinely worried, back your gut + put it on pause It’s time for you to get after your trade god ordained destiny of making money, building wealth + being kind. Much love, Crowe x Summary In this episode, Greg Crowe discusses the importance of strategic rate increases, building strong client relationships, and maintaining business profitability through disciplined daily practices and annual planning. Learn practical tips to raise your rates effectively while preserving trust and long-term success. Keywords business growth, rate increase, client relationships, profitability, daily discipline, annual planning, business strategy Key Topics Timing of rate increases (July 1, January 1) Four key financial metrics: gross profit, gross profit per hour, net profit, net profit per hour Importance of daily discipline in checking job profitability Building strong, honest client relationships Effective communication when raising rates Annual rhythm for rate adjustments and cost increases Avoiding generic communication, personal engagement Long-term mindset for business and client relationships Titles The Best Time to Raise Your Rates and How to Do It Mastering Client Relationships for Business Success sound bites "There's no better time than July 1 to raise your rates" "Check every job for gross profit and net profit" "Build relationships based on trust and transparency" Chapters 00:00 The Importance of Raising Rates 05:12 Building Strong Client Relationships 10:02 Effective Communication Strategies 15:03 Understanding the Financial Impact 17:52 Final Thoughts on Rate Increases