The ToolShed Podcast

EP 166 Part 2: The ADHD Advantage No One Talks About in Business

23 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What if the real reason you feel overwhelmed in your business isn't discipline… But design? In Part 2 of this conversation on The ToolShed Podcast, ...

EP 166 Part 1: The ADHD Advantage No One Talks About in Business

16 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Most business owners think their biggest challenge is discipline. Work harder. Focus more. Push through. But what if the real issue isn't motivation a...

EP 165: This innovation Fixed a Massive Problem for Women in Industrial Work

09 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when someone stops accepting "that's just how it is" and decides to fix it? In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, Mick Hawes sits down...

EP 164 Part 2: Why Modern Success Is Making People Miserable | Jim Penman Explains

01 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What if modern success is the very thing making people miserable? In Part 2 of this conversation, Jim Penman shares the deeper philosophy behind build...

EP 164 Part 1: How to Build a Franchise Empire with Jim Penman Reveals

23 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What does it really take to build a franchise empire that lasts decades, not just a business that burns bright and burns out? In this episode of The T...

EP 99: Enhancing Business Through Professionalism with Richard Armstrong

23 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Click this link to listen to the full podcast on this topic with Richard Armstrong -https://pod.fo/e/283e76  In the building industry, professional...

EP 163: From Living In A Garage To A $25M Business

16 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

What does it really take to build a successful business when there are no guarantees? In this episode, Mick sits down with Mark Deacon to unpack the o...

EP 162: Why Builders Struggle With Sales

09 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Mick Hawes is joined by Rebekah Tucker, CEO of Sandler Training Australia & New Zealand, to unpack why sales feels so difficult for b...

EP 161.2: The Pricing Truth Builders NEVER Want to Hear… with Andrew Griffiths

02 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Mick dives deeper into the real mechanics of pricing with globally respected business author and advisor Andr...

EP 161.1: The Pricing Truth Builders NEVER Want to Hear… with Andrew Griffiths

26 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In Part 1 of this powerful conversation, Mick Hawes sits down with Andrew Griffiths to unpack one of the most uncomfortable and misunderstood topics i...

EP 160: STOP Buying Cheap First Aid Kits! Here's What Tradies ACTUALLY Need

19 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Most builders think they've got first aid covered, until something actually goes wrong on site. In this episode, Mick Hawes sits down with Nick White,...

EP 159: Why Builders FAIL at Marketing (And How to Fix It)

12 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Most builders don't fail because they're bad at marketing — they fail because the construction industry has changed, and the old way of showing up n...

EP 158: CompliBuild: How This Tool Will Save Builders From Costly Mistakes

05 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Waterproofing failures and compliance issues are costing builders thousands of dollars every year not because they don't care, but because the industr...

EP 157: How Ari Galper DISCOVERED the Secret to Selling Without Selling

29 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What if winning clients had nothing to do with convincing, persuading, or pushing? In this episode, I sat down with Ari Galper, the world's number one...

EP 156: Why Every Tradie Needs A Tax Specialist

22 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Most tradies work hard but still feel like the money slips away. In this episode, we uncover why that happens and how the right tax specialist can hel...

EP 155: How Better Marketing Can Grow Your Building Business Fast

15 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, I sat down with marketing expert Sam McEwin to unpack how smarter, more intentional marketing can completely ...

EP 154: Why 90% of Construction Businesses Fail Financially

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Most builders don't fail because they can't build, they fail because they don't understand their numbers. In this powerful episode, Victor Zhou joins ...

EP 153: How This $70M Builder Is Changing Construction With Green Homes

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What does it take to build a $70 million construction business and make a lasting impact on the planet? In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, I sat...

EP 152: Stop Losing Money on Estimates: Simple 3-Step Process

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are you tired of spending hours on quotes that go nowhere or worse, win the job and realise you've underpriced it? In this episode of The ToolShed Pod...

EP 151: From Interior Designer to $80 Billion in Construction Projects

17 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Most builders are working harder than ever but with outdated systems and old-school processes that slow everything down. In this episode, Mick Hawes s...

EP 150: The Psychology of Money: The HIDDEN Reason You Can't Build Wealth

10 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Money problems rarely start with maths. They start with a mindset. In this ToolShed session, we unpack how early "money scripts," status spending, and...

EP 149: Empowering Women in Trades with Hacia Atherton

03 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The trades industry is evolving, and empowering women is at the heart of that change. In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, I talk with Hacia Ather...

EP 148: The Dark Side of Building No One Talks About (with Aaron Ng)

27 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I sit down with Aaron Ng to pull back the curtain on the parts of the building we rarely say out loud silent margin leaks, "helpful" yeses that turn i...

EP 147: Why 99% of Builders FAIL at Sales (and How to Fix It in 5 Minutes)

20 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Most builders don't fail because of their trade skills, they fail because their sales process is broken. If you've ever wondered why clients ghost you...

EP 146: Why Builders Fail (And How to Escape the Trap)

13 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Most builders start their business chasing freedom—more time, more money, more control. But the reality? Many end up trapped in long hours, low marg...

EP 145: The SHOCKING Truth About Women's Safety Gear

06 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Safety gear is supposed to protect us but for many women in construction, trades, and beyond, it's doing the opposite. In this episode of The ToolShed...

EP 144: Troy Ross: Why Every Man Needs to Reconnect with Himself

29 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when life throws you the kind of challenges that could break anyone—a relationship breakdown, depression, and a cancer diagnosis? For T...

EP 143: How Builders Can Create Passive Income

22 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, Terry Tran, seasoned investor and founder of The Freedom Trader, shares a simple, low-risk system to help bui...

EP 142: How to Break Free from Financial Stress with Tony Harrington

15 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are you a builder making good money but still feeling broke, stressed, and stuck? In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, Tony Harrington returns for...

EP 141: Unlocking Mindfulness and Self-Leadership in the Construction Industry

08 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We're excited to feature Stacey Combe on this week's episode of The ToolShed Podcast, where we unpack mindfulness and self-leadership in the construct...

EP 140: Here's Why You're Stuck with Your Business

01 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Most builders start their business chasing freedom—more time, more money, more control. But for many, that freedom never comes. Instead, they end up...

EP 139: From Painter to Multi-Business Owner: How Tas Did It

25 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What does it take to go from working on the tools to building multiple businesses? In this episode of The ToolShed, Tas Moulis shares his journey from...

EP 138: Being the Boss Doesn't Make You a Leader

18 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Mick Hawes chats with Michael Stewart from Peak Synergy Mentoring to unpack the truth about leadership in building businesses. Learn ...

EP 137: The #1 Loan Mistake That's Keeping Builders Broke

11 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are traditional bank loans silently draining your building business? In this episode, Mick Hawes is joined by finance strategist Martin Cattach to unp...

EP 136: Estimating Made Easy for Builders

04 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Estimating is one of the most frustrating and time-consuming parts of running a building business\ and it's where many builders lose money without rea...

EP 135: The Real Reason Your Building Business Isn't Growing

28 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ever feel like your building business should be growing faster—but something invisible is holding it back? In this episode, I'm joined by Andy Barke...

EP 134: Loop Logics: The Builder Software You Need

21 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Still juggling spreadsheets, scattered apps, and endless WhatsApp messages to manage your building business? In this episode, I sit down with Jordan a...

EP 133: A Young Tradie's Journey into Powerful Leadership

14 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when someone takes a chance on a week of work experience—and ends up becoming a powerful leader in the trades? In this episode of The T...

EP 132: The Brutal Cost of Ignoring Site Safety (And How to Fix It Fast)

07 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is your building site truly compliant—or just one accident away from disaster? In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, I was joined by Nick Halley ...

EP 131: How to Impress High-Value Clients Without Building an Expensive Office

30 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Can you attract premium clients without an expensive office? Absolutely. In this ToolShed Podcast episode, Dan Bailey from Tradie HQ shares how tradie...

EP 130: Why Most Builders Fail at Property Development (And How to Succeed)

23 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Even experienced builders can lose big when they step into property development without the right strategy. In this episode, I sit down with Steve Cha...

EP 129: The Secret to Scaling Your Building Business

16 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Most builders think scaling means more jobs, more blokes, more stress. But what if there was a better way? In this episode, I chat with Richard Armstr...

EP 128: Is Builder Coaching Worth It? The Brutal Truth They're Not Telling You

10 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Builder coaching isn't all systems and success stories—this is the real deal. In this honest conversation, builder Matthew Auld shares how he lost o...

EP 127: The Rise of Female Tradies in Australia

02 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, I spoke with Steph Apostolidis—better known as the Melbourne Chippy Chick—about her journey into the trad...

EP 126: Construction Software for Builders

26 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I interviewed Nick Daffy from Styck Construction Software to discuss how builders can boost their business profits by streamlining project management ...

EP 125: This ONE Change Will 10X Your Leads!

19 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you're a builder or tradie struggling to get consistent, high-quality leads, you're not alone—and you're probably focusing on the wrong problem. ...

EP 124: Why Every Builder NEEDS a Tradie Accountant!

12 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Cash flow problems, tax headaches, and surprise expenses—sound familiar? Most builders struggle with managing their finances, but the right accounta...

EP 123: Why Builders Struggle with Systems (And How to Fix It)

05 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Most builders know they need systems, but why do so many struggle to implement them? In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, I sit down with James Hi...

EP 122: This Will Change Construction Culture Forever!

28 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The construction industry is undergoing a major cultural shift, and it's time to talk about it. In this episode, Angela Hucker shares how bullying, ha...

EP 121: Why Builders Struggle to Hire

21 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Hiring the right people can make or break your building business—but why is it so hard to find good talent? In this episode, I talk with Martin Pree...

EP 120: This SIMPLE Fix Could Save Your Building Business

14 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Running a building business is tough, but community is the game-changer you need. In this episode, I chat with Colleen Sinclair from Building Connecti...

EP 119: Stop Wasting Time: How Video & AI Fix Repetitive Mistakes

07 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Repetitive mistakes are draining time, energy, and profits from builders and trades businesses. In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, I talk to Luk...

EP 118: How This Workwear is Changing Tradies' Lives

31 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Most tradies don't realize their workwear is holding them back. Every day, thousands of builders and tradies wear gear that does nothing to support th...

EP 117: Mastering Pricing Strategies for Builders and Contractors

24 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tired of spending hours on quotes and still missing the mark? In this episode of The Toolshed, I chat with Jacob Campbell from Campbell's Estimating S...

EP 116: The Ultimate Guide to Building a Winning Team

17 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

  Tired of wasting time and money on the wrong hires? You're not alone. In this no-nonsense episode of The Toolshed Podcast, Mick Hawes and hiring ex...

EP 115: How to Save Hours on Site Management with This One Tool

10 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tired of drowning in paperwork, chasing defects, and managing site chaos? In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, I chat with Matt Perrott, founder o...

EP 114: I Was Stuck… Until Hypnotherapy Changed Everything!

03 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's not your business—it's you. Feeling stuck in your business? In this episode of The ToolShed, I talk with hypnotherapy expert Karim Bokhtor abo...

EP 113: How Women Are Transforming the Construction Industry

24 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Women in trades face significant challenges—lack of hygiene facilities, unequal treatment, and being overlooked in a male-dominated industry. Why ar...

EP 112: Boost Energy and Beat Burnout

17 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

"Burnout doesn't announce itself—it sneaks in quietly and takes a toll on your body, mind, and business." In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, w...

EP 111: Boost Your Building Business with CRM

10 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Overwhelmed by constant admin and missed follow-ups? Let's fix that. In this episode, I sat with CRM expert Elena Korolkova from Kik Consulting to tac...

EP 110: Building Together: Work & Life

03 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

"Running a business together can either build you up or break you down—it's all in how you handle it." - Verity Hare Feeling the strain of balancing...

EP 109: Redefining Men's Mental Health

27 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

"Eight men take their lives every day in Australia. It's time to break the silence." Many men in high-stress fields like construction are silently ba...

EP 108: Can Virtual Assistants Transform Your Business?

21 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

"Your biggest bottleneck is you. Let a VA take tasks off your plate so you can focus on growth." Overwhelmed by tasks? In this episode of The Toolshed...

EP 107: How Can Builders Stop Losing Profit?

13 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are you constantly finishing projects only to find out you've lost money? Builders often struggle with tracking costs mid-project, leading to profit l...

EP 106: Video Marketing Made Easy

06 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

"You don't need fancy equipment. Start simple, be authentic, and the results will come." – Gideon In this episode of The Toolshed, I chat with video...

EP 105: Saving Lives Through Connection

30 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The ToolShed, I chat with Sonia Bottern and Greg from Jesuit Social Services about how genuine connection and listening can change ...

EP 104: How Purpose Transforms Business

23 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

"The moment you find clarity, everything changes—your business, your life, and your future. Purpose is the key to unlocking it all." - Mitchell Frag...

EP 103: Virtual Assistant: The Game Changer

16 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

"What if freeing up your team's time could unlock a whole new level of growth for your business?" In this episode of The ToolShed, I sat down with Kod...

EP 102: Overcoming Time Management Challenges for Builders

09 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

"If you're spending more time on admin than on building, you're working harder, not smarter." – Greg Smith In this episode of The Toolshed, I sat wi...

EP 101: Breaking Builder Burnout with Community and Mindset

02 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The ToolShed, I chat with builders Luke Davies and Kyle Zanetto about overcoming burnout and the power of community. They share the...

EP 100: Strengthen Client Relations with Negotiation with Nicole Davidson

25 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Get ready for an insightful conversation with negotiation expert Nicole Davidson! In this upcoming episode, we'll be diving into how builders can stre...

EP 99: Enhancing Business Success Through Professionalism

18 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The Toolshed Podcast, I sit down with Richard Armstrong from ProCalc for a deep dive into how professionalism can make or break a b...

EP 98: Unlocking BUILD-A-TREND with Aspire Projects

11 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The ToolShed, I sat with the experts from Aspire Projects, Jordan and Scott, about how builders can truly unlock the full potential...

EP 97: Unlocking Women's Potential in the Building Industry with Melinda Davis

04 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hey folks, welcome back to The Toolshed! In this episode, I'm excited to sit down with Mel Davis, the Chief Operating Officer of Empowering Women in T...

EP 96: How AI is Revolutionizing the Construction Industry

28 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The Toolshed, Mick Hawes sits down with Erik Cofield of BuilderChain to explore how AI is transforming the construction industry. E...

EP 95: Boost Your Builder Visibility

21 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The Toolshed, we're unpacking one of the most critical yet often overlooked aspects of running a construction business—marketing....

EP 94: Understanding Mental Health First Aid with Bill Carson

14 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hey folks, welcome back to The Toolshed! Today, we're diving into something that doesn't get talked about nearly enough in the building industry—men...

EP 93: Listening Pays Off featured Ahmed Yusuf

07 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of The Toolshed podcast, I sit with Ahmed Yusuf from Wunderbuild to explore how client feedback is shaping the future of builders' sof...

EP 92: Closing the Communication Gap with Ron Nussbaum

30 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Unlock the key to better client relationships and smoother projects by closing the communication gap in your building business! In this episode of The...

EP 91: Leadership Through Listening with Angela Heise

23 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How to strengthen client relationships and lead effectively in your building business. In this episode, I sit down with Angela Heise for an enlighten...

EP 90: Building Mental Resilience feat. Aaron WD Huey

16 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Take Charge of Your Mental Well-being in the Trade Industry Mental health and personal development are crucial topics that every tradie should be payi...

EP 89: A Builder's Journey with Anthony Tarquinio

09 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Transform your building business with the right mindset and strategies. The shift from working in your business to working on your business. If you're...

EP 88: The Power of Trade Alliances for Builders feat. Brett Crowther

02 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Learn how to use collective buying power to secure better pricing and reliable suppliers for your building business. Today, we will explore the signif...

EP 87: Mastering Builder Marketing with Contractor Scale feat. Cameron Upton

26 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How to Attract the Right Clients and Boost Your Construction Business In this episode, we're diving deep into one of the most crucial aspects of runni...

EP 86: The Future Lady Tradies Revolution feat Taleah Henderson, Kayla & Aleah Hill

19 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Lady Tradies Revolution In this episode of The ToolShed podcast, I host three inspiring young women from Future Lady Tradies (FLT): Aleah, Taleah, and...

EP 85: Leadership Mindset for Builder Business Owners feat. Jerome Lamarque

15 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

High-Performance Leadership In this episode , we discuss the essential mindset shifts and strategies needed to build and lead high-performing teams in...

EP 84: Slash Your Build Time & Costs feat. Toby Loft

06 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

BuiltGrid's Game-Changing Supply Chain Solutions Imagine a world where you can manage your entire supply chain with just a few clicks, automating thos...

EP 83: Mastering Builds with Next Minute feat. Emily Ossington

29 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Simplify Construction Projects with NextMinute If you're a builder looking to streamline your projects, keep track of schedules, quoting, costs, invoi...

EP 82: How Builders Can Buy Back Time with Buildxact feat. Steve Yates

22 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tech Advancement in Construction With so many software options for builders, it can be a real head-scratcher figuring out which one suits your busines...

How To Have A Successful Construction Project? feat. Adrian Ramsay

15 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Crafting Memorable Client Experiences The way you make your clients feel is just as important as the structure you build for them. From the initial pl...

Healthy Homes 101 feat. Zara D'Cotta

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hidden dangers in our homes We spend so much time worrying about our diets, exercise routines, and overall wellness, but how often do we consider the ...

How A Builder Can Improve Efficiency With AroFlo feat. Peter Darley

01 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Streamlining Trades Business with AroFlo Softwares are essential in trades businesses as it streamlines processes, reduces errors, and improves effici...

How Community Can Be Your Toolbox for Mental Health feat. Adrien Mamet

24 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Creating a Stronger Construction Community We all know the construction industry can be a pressure cooker. It's a massive issue that we can't afford t...

Be There, Be Present feat. Sonja Bottern

18 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Embracing Mental Health in the Building Industry A critical and often overlooked issue in the building industry is mental health. In this episode, we ...

Ready to Build Better with Buildern? feat. Angus Cowan

11 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Revolution in Construction Management Software As the construction industry evolves, the demand for integrated, user-friendly software solutions h...

Untapped Potential: Bridging the Gap in Construction with Women feat. Amanda Bulow

04 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Embracing diversity, especially the inclusion of women, transforms the construction industry Today, we're zeroing in a pressing issue that's reshaping...

Breaking Barriers: Empowering Women in Building and Trades Through Inclusivity feat. Hacia Atherton

28 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Explore how women are transforming the trade industry This episode is one cracker of a chat, where I sit down with Hacia Atherton about breaking new g...

Can Women Thrive in Male-Dominated Trades? Feat. Louise Azzopardi

21 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Learn how to navigate and overcome biases in mechanics industry The mechanics industry is usually male-dominated, but I see many women entering it now...

Building Better Trades: Unpacking Success Strategies feat. David List

14 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How trade businesses can leverage media and technology for growth The integration of innovative digital tools and strategies is one of the challenges ...

Prevention Is Better Than The Cure For Your Business feat. James Murray

07 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Safeguarding Your Business: Prioritising Health and Safety Health and safety in the workplace is often overlooked. Neglecting preventive health measur...