What if you could grow your trades business and get your life back?

Matt Ryan has lived through the grind, hit the glass ceiling, but refused to stay stuck. From launching his electrical business, MTR Electrical Solutions, straight after his apprenticeship, to finally building a team and systems that allow him to take a month off with his family – Matt’s story is raw, real, and relatable.

If you’ve ever felt like your business is running you instead of the other way around, or you’re wondering if there’s a better way to scale without burning out, you’ll get a lot from this episode.

In this episode you’ll learn:

🔨 Breaking the million-dollar ceiling requires new systems, structure, and mindset shifts.
🔨 Profitability, not revenue, should be the north star for business growth.
🔨 Letting go of control unlocks team potential and business scalability.
🔨 Open communication at home improves both family life and business clarity.
🔨 Mindset growth is essential for leadership and personal development.
🔨 Taking extended time off is possible with the right structure.

… 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 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.

What happens when a builder rediscovers his spark? In this episode, we unpack the five-year transformation of Andrew Debono – from running on fumes in a labour-hire grind to building a thriving, purpose-driven business in residential construction.

Burnt out and losing passion, Andrew knew something had to change. With guidance, grit and a commitment to growth, he reshaped his business, rebuilt his team, and shifted into a leadership role that reignited his love for the trade.

Along the way, he also reclaimed his health, his time, and his presence with family.

Now leading a team of 13 with an eight-month pipeline, Andrew reflects on the power of saying no, the value of coaching, and how the right people can supercharge a business.

In this episode you’ll learn:

🔨 Saying yes to everything nearly broke the business and burned Andrew out.
🔨 Rediscovering passion meant leaving commercial work and returning to residential projects.
🔨 Coaching showed Andrew how to transition strategically, not recklessly.
🔨 Building the right team required letting go of the wrong people.
🔨 Health, family time, and mindset shifted alongside business transformation.
🔨 Clarity came from defining values and aligning the business accordingly.

… 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.

Leadership isn’t just about running a business. It’s about how you show up – every day, through the chaos, the pressure, the wins and the setbacks.

In this episode, we start with a mirror test. Because how you think you lead and how your team experiences your leadership can be two very different things.

Are you bringing clarity or just adding commentary? Do your people feel supported or second-guessed? Energised – or constantly on edge?

Three traits separate great leaders from the rest: clarity, consistency, and accountability. We’ll help you spot where the cracks might be showing, and give you simple ways to lift your standard – without adding more to your plate.

In this episode you’ll learn:
🔨 Great leadership starts with self-awareness and understanding how you truly show up.
🔨 Mood swings and double standards are signs of weak, inconsistent leadership.
🔨 Accountability begins with you before you can expect it from your team.
🔨 A team mirrors the energy, standards, and tone set by its leader.
🔨 Mixed messages lead to uncertainty and poor performance across the board.
🔨 Leadership is a daily practice, not something you switch on and off.

… 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.

Difficult conversations are never fun. But they’re unavoidable if you’re running a business and leading a team. The real skill isn’t just having the conversation, it’s knowing how to have it without blowing things up, shutting people down, or leaving things unresolved.

This is the second of a two-part series. While last episode focused on preparation, this one is all about execution. We walk you through our CLIP framework, so that you know exactly what to say, how to say it, and how to make sure the message lands – whether it’s about safety, performance, attitude, or anything in between.

In this episode you’ll learn:

🔨 Starting with intent helps lower defensiveness and builds trust early.
🔨 Asking open questions draws people in and tests self-awareness.
🔨 Avoid generalisations and focus on specific behaviours, not personalities.
🔨 Let them speak – insight invites responsibility and encourages personal growth.
🔨 Highlighting real-world consequences makes the issue tangible and memorable.
🔨 Gaining commitment at the end ensures clarity, ownership, and forward momentum.

… 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.

Let’s face it – no one starts a business dreaming of tough talks, awkward silences, or calling out bad attitudes. But as your team grows, so does the need for courageous conversations.

Whether it’s pulling someone up on poor performance, tackling toxic behaviour, or confronting safety breaches head-on –this is where real leadership shows up.

We dive into the art and science of difficult conversations – why they matter, what’s at stake if you avoid them, and how to handle them without torching your culture or losing sleep.

These aren’t the skills you learned on the tools, but they’re the ones that will make or break your business. They’re so important that we’ve broken this into two episodes.

In this episode you’ll learn:
🔨 Poor performance must be addressed early to prevent long-term cultural damage.
🔨 Behaviour and attitude issues can quickly undermine team morale and standards.
🔨 Safety breaches demand immediate, well-handled conversations to protect everyone involved.
🔨 Avoidance creates resentment, confusion, and a toxic workplace environment over time.
🔨 Preparation is key—gather facts, remove emotion, and clarify your desired outcome.
🔨 Choosing the right place sets the tone for a productive conversation.

… 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.