Luke (Blue Bulldog Plumbing) is back on the podcast for the first time in two years, and this conversation goes exactly where you’d expect when you put a working plumber, content creator, and brand collaborator in the same room with zero filters. We talk honestly about what it’s really like to grow on social media in the trades, the pressure to take brand deals, and why credibility matters more than quick money. Luke opens up about turning down offers, getting threatened by companies for sharing real-world experiences, and why showing jobs going wrong is more valuable than polished highlight reels. We also get into the realities of on-site filming, dealing with negative comments, imposter syndrome, awards, and how social media has changed the way he approaches his work. This episode is raw, practical, and unapologetically honest for anyone in the trades, on social media, or thinking about mixing the two.#plumbing #mjtiffplumbing #bluebulldogplumbing #plumbingtips

In this episode of the Trade Legends podcast, Alex sits down with Sean, founder of Monster Rigs, to unpack the real story behind building a trades brand from the ground up. From starting out on the tools at 16 to navigating recessions, cashflow pressure, product failures, and relentless reinvestment, this is an unfiltered conversation about what it actually takes to build a business in the construction industry.Sean opens up about his journey through carpentry, the post-2008 construction crash in Ireland, and how those brutal years shaped his mindset as an entrepreneur. The discussion dives deep into product development, manufacturing costs, sampling, branding mistakes, social media growth, and why most people massively underestimate the time, money, and sacrifice required to launch a physical product brand. This episode pulls no punches on the reality of working long nights, reinvesting every penny, and still staying on the tools while trying to grow a company.The conversation also tackles bigger topics affecting trades and small business owners today, including apprenticeships, influencer culture in construction, brand loyalty, government policy, taxation, recession fears, and why chasing quick money almost always ends badly. Sean explains why lt Monster Rigs, not followers.#Tradesman #SmallBusiness #tradelegends #toolbelts

EXPOSING the Criminal Gangs Targeting Your Van & Tools This week on the Trade Legends Podcast, we sit down with Frankie from Stolen Tools UK and Shoaib from Trade United, two of the most influential voices fighting the UK’s growing epidemic of tool theft and van crime. In this explosive episode, we dive deep into the organised crime networks targeting tradespeople, how thieves are hitting 10–20 vans a day, and why the construction industry is reaching a breaking point. From undercover police raids to national media coverage, this is the most comprehensive conversation yet about what’s really happening on the front line of tool theft.Frankie reveals the realities of running the Stolen Tools UK page — the constant messages, the emotional toll, and the pressure of supporting thousands of tradespeople wherever they are. Shoaib shares the inside story in which cover teams worked together to seize stolen tools and make arrests. He also exposes the loopholes criminals exploit, including recycling police auction receipts to sell stolen tools as “legit,” and the shocking truth about big influencers who refused to support the fight.We also explore what needs to change: van security, police involvement, government action, petitions, and how tradespeople can protect themselves moving forward. Whether you’re a builder, electrician, plumber, roofer, landscaper, or anyone working in the trade, this episode is essential viewing. Tool theft isn’t just a crime — it’s destroying businesses, families, and mental health across the UK. Watch the full episode to learn what’s being done, what still needs to happen, and how the industry can stand together.