Every growing business reaches a fork in the road — the moment where doing it all yourself no longer works. You either slide back into old habits or step forward into the awkward world of management.

It’s uncomfortable. It’s unfamiliar. And it’s the make-or-break zone where confidence can vanish. What once felt natural — being on the tools, problem-solving on the fly — is replaced with the need to build systems, lead people, and manage through others. That’s where many stumble. But those who lean in, who embrace the suck, unlock real leverage.

Today, we unpack the messy transition from tradesperson to team builder — and why learning to lead is the real trade of the future.

In this episode you’ll learn:

🔨 Confidence often drops as business owners move away from hands-on work.
🔨 Soft skills like communication and leadership become essential for scaling up.
🔨 Poor management shows up as sloppy standards and unclear team roles.
🔨 Building a strong team requires letting go of being the “hero.”
🔨 Embracing discomfort is the only path to becoming a better leader.
🔨 Management is the hidden multiplier that glues business growth together.

We mention episode 66 and 67 on having Difficult Conversations, you can listen here:

Episode 66: Difficult Conversations PART 1: Why avoiding them costs you more: https://open.spotify.com/episode/68yZtrWeu1et8dfSWRP7CQ?si=710666dcdc074357

Episode 67: Difficult Conversations PART 2: Delivering hard messages with confidence: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6QmMiuvAKcbh7cc9uJHarp?si=7584adad0798469d

… Book a free Strategy Session to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life: www.strategysession.com.au

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Revenue, gross profit, overheads, and net profit—four numbers that reveal the true story of a business.

Hidden in plain sight on the profit and loss statement, they show more than what’s in the bank. They uncover what’s been earned, what’s been spent, and what’s really left over.

In this episode, we break down each number, why it matters, and how it connects to the others. Because knowing them isn’t optional – it’s essential. These figures drive pricing, resourcing, and strategy. Ignore them, and the business runs blind. Master them, and decision-making becomes sharper, faster, smarter.

In this episode you’ll learn:

🔨 Know your gross profit percentage to guide pricing and scalability decisions.
🔨 Overheads quietly grow – track them before they suffocate your bottom line.
🔨 Net profit is the ultimate test of viability, not just survival.
🔨 The P&L isn’t history – it’s a decision-making tool for the future.
🔨 Ignoring numbers leads to chaos; understanding them drives control and clarity.
🔨 Wages keep you working, while profits help you build wealth and fund freedom.

We mention episode 58, another Money Matters episode, about sloppy spending killing your profits. Hear here:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0n8cY0VCyX3TG3XOxklUGn?si=pI7dQ7kyRCGqO2yY6DIpWg

… Book a free Strategy Session to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life: www.strategysession.com.au

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every trade business hits that moment – around the million-dollar mark. Suddenly the cracks show – time’s tight, you’re torn between the job and your family, and something’s got to give.

It’s the fork in the road we see time and time again. One path keeps you on the tools — safe, familiar, in control.

The other? You step back, build structure, lead a team, and grow something bigger than yourself.

Neither path is wrong. But the danger is staying stuck in between.

In this episode, we unpack both roads — the trade-off between certainty and scale, freedom and familiarity, and what it really takes to transition from doing the work to leading the business.

Whether you’re ready to stay hands-on or take that next leap, the key is this: stop sitting on the fence. It’s time to decide — and then commit to building your future.

In this episode you’ll learn:

🔨 Staying on the tools offers control, but caps growth and freedom.
🔨 Stepping off the tools demands new skills, identity, and leadership mindset.
🔨 You can’t grow a business while stuck on-site every single day.
🔨 Both paths are hard – you just need to pick one.
🔨 Transitioning requires structure, margin, and the right ground crew beneath you.
🔨 You can’t fake commitment – make your choice and back it fully.

We mention our episode with Anthony Rentzis and his experience with coaching. Listen to Episode 9 on The Trade Den: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2t5zWDXSmGiV6MwUNDrm5S?si=nLX0x6zXSrCVjXje9q_8Jg

… Book a free Strategy Session to start your journey toward building a sustainable business and balanced life: www.strategysession.com.au

And if you’re not already part of The Trade Den please come over to our community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetradeden

Find out more about Pravar Group at www.pravargroup.com or https://www.instagram.com/pravargroup

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.