Episodes
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Getting to $100 million is possible. The real question is, at what cost? In this episode, Mick sits down with Anthony Tarquinio, Civil Engineer and Director of Evve Group, an 8-figure construction company building multiple projects simultaneously across Melbourne.
This is not the highlight reel version of a success story. Anthony opens up about what coaching actually feels like once the early excitement fades, the daily mindset work that keeps him grounded, and the partnership breakdown that forces him to rethink everything he thought he knew about growth.
Connect with Anthony:
Company: https://evvegroup.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063547690079
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evvegroup
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/evve-group/More profit, less grind? Take the Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard: https://buildersfreedomreadiness.scoreapp.com/
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What if the biggest thing holding your building business back isn't a lack of leads, staff, or systems? What if it's trying to do everything on your own?
In Part 2 of this inspiring conversation, Mick Hawes sits down again with Andy Kearns, Director of Perway Construction Services and long-time Builders Business Blackbelt member, to dive deeper into the lessons that transformed both his business and personal life.
The conversation also explores the power of finding your values, planning your life before your work, giving back through his Build It Forward charity, and how virtual assistants have helped create more freedom and flexibility for his family and business.
Connect with Andy Kearns:
Website: https://www.perway.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PerwayConstruction/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perwayconstructionservices/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-kearns-a1819631/More profit, less grind? Take the Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard: https://buildersfreedomreadiness.scoreapp.com/
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Missing episodes?
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What happens when a builder stops trying to do everything alone?
In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, Andy Kearns shares how coaching transformed his residential building business. We discuss builder mindset, business coaching, construction leadership, builder burnout, personal development, and construction business growth.
This is an honest conversation about why success in business isn't just about systems and strategy it's about the person leading the business.
Connect with Andy Kearns:
Website: https://www.perway.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PerwayConstruction/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perwayconstructionservices/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-kearns-a1819631/More profit, less grind? Take the Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard: https://buildersfreedomreadiness.scoreapp.com/
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Could ATO debt be putting your business at risk without you even realising it?
In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, I'm joined down with Registered Liquidator and Chartered Accountant Jarvis Archer to discuss the simple financial mistakes that often lead businesses into trouble. Learn how better visibility of your numbers, understanding director drawings, and managing ATO debt can help protect your business and create a clearer path forward.
Connect with Jarvis:
Website: https://businessreset.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573289395251
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/businessresetteam
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarvisarcher/More profit, less grind? Take the Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard: https://buildersfreedomreadiness.scoreapp.com/
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What if the biggest thing holding your building business back isn't a lack of staff, it's a lack of the right systems?
In this episode, Mick Hawes sits down with Andrew Sirianni, Managing Director of Dcode Group, to talk about one of the most practical topics for any builder or tradie running a small team: how to use automation and custom software to get more done without growing your headcount.
Andrew shares how a single workflow automation early in his career produced a 400% jump in productivity and how that moment led him to build an entire company around solving the same problem for small and medium businesses across Australia.
Connect with Andrew:
Andrew's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewsirianni/
Website: https://dcodegroup.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dcodegroup/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dcode_group/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/compMore profit, less grind? Take the Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard: https://buildersfreedomreadiness.scoreapp.com/
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Are your quotes costing you time, profit… or both?
In Part 2 of EP 169 of The ToolShed Podcast, Mick Hawes sits down with Joey Hidalgo to unpack one of the biggest bottlenecks in a building business, estimating.
Most builders don't struggle because they can't quote… They struggle because they don't have a system behind it.
This episode explores how improving your estimating process can lead to better pricing accuracy, stronger margins, and more time to focus on actually growing your business.
Connect with Joey:
Website: https://estimatormatch.ai/ & https://www.measuringcompany.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/measuringcompany
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/measuringcompany/?hl=en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/themeasuringcompany/
Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TheProfitableEstimatorConnect with Joey:
Website: https://estimatormatch.ai/ & https://www.measuringcompany.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/measuringcompany
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/measuringcompany/?hl=en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/themeasuringcompany/
Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TheProfitableEstimator
More profit, less grind? Take the Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard: https://buildersfreedomreadiness.scoreapp.com/ -
In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, I sit down with Joey Hidalgo, founder of The Measuring Company, to unpack one of the biggest hidden challenges in the building industry, estimating.
Most builders don't struggle because they lack work. They struggle because estimating becomes a bottleneck. Late nights, second-guessing numbers, and trying to stay competitive without truly understanding costs are all too common.
Joey shares how what started as helping a few builders with their quotes quickly revealed a much bigger issue across the industry. It's not just about pricing it's about the absence of systems behind it.
Connect with Joey:
Website: https://estimatormatch.ai/ & https://www.measuringcompany.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/measuringcompany
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/measuringcompany/?hl=en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/themeasuringcompany/
Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TheProfitableEstimator
More profit, less grind? Take the Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard: https://buildersfreedomreadiness.scoreapp.com/ -
Are Bigger Jobs Actually Holding Your Building Business Back?
Every builder wants the big project the prestige, the revenue, the recognition. But what if chasing bigger jobs is quietly costing you profit, time, and freedom?
In Part 2 with Adrian Ramsay, we unpack why the smartest builders don't chase size ,they chase alignment. From choosing the right clients to creating a process that builds trust, this episode challenges how you think about profit, leadership, and long-term success.
If you want better margins, less stress, and a business that actually supports your life, this one's worth your time.
Connect with Adrian:
Website: https://ardesignhouse.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdrianRamsayDesignHouse/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adrianramsay
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrian-ramsay-6197a73/
Podcast: https://talkdesign.show/More profit, less grind? Take the Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard: https://buildersfreedomreadiness.scoreapp.com/
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Are your biggest projects actually your least profitable?
In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast (EP 168 Part 1), I sit down with Adrian Ramsay , award-winning building designer and host of Dream Homes Revealed, to unpack the truth about profit, projects, and building a business that works.
Adrian shares how smaller "learning projects" can often deliver better margins than large, ego-driven builds, and why choosing the right clients matters more than chasing big-dollar jobs. We also touch on simple financial systems, cash flow, and turning challenges into strengths in business.
Key Takeaways:
• Small projects can drive higher profit
• Don't chase jobs, choose the right clients
• Build systems that support your businessTune in and rethink how you approach profit and growth.
Connect with Adrian:
Website: https://ardesignhouse.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdrianRamsayDesignHouse/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adrianramsay
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrian-ramsay-6197a73/
Podcast: https://talkdesign.show/More profit, less grind? Take the Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard: https://buildersfreedomreadiness.scoreapp.com/
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What if the biggest mistake investors make isn't the stock they pick… but how they think about the market?
In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, Mick sits down with seasoned investor Terry Tran to unpack the misconceptions many Australian investors have about markets, valuations, and risk.
With nearly 30 years of experience, Terry shares why protecting capital matters more than chasing returns, how emotional decision-making leads to poor outcomes, and why today's market conditions where some companies trade at 30–40× earnings require a more disciplined and cautious approach.
Australians reviewing their super.
Connect with Terry:
Company: https://www.thefreedomtrader.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheFreedomTrader/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefreedomtrader/
More profit, less grind? Take the Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard: https://buildersfreedomreadiness.scoreapp.com/This episode is a practical discussion on risk, mindset, and making smarter investment decisions, particularly when strong markets mask warning signs. It offers clarity for active investors and those seeking market understanding.
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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, I continue my discussion with ADHD strategist Skye Waterson, founder of Unconventional Organisation. We dig deeper into the patterns that many business owners experience, burnout, last-minute pressure, and the constant feeling of being busy but not moving forward.
Skye explains that for many entrepreneurs, the issue isn't laziness or lack of motivation. Instead, it's operating a business in a way that works against how their brain naturally functions. When systems and structures are built properly, those same tendencies can become strengths rather than obstacles.
Connect with Skye:
Website: https://www.unconventionalorganisation.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnconventionalOrganisation
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unconventionalorganisation/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/skye-waterson-026286204/
Podcast: https://www.unconventionalorganisation.com/theadhdskillslab
This episode explores the connection between ADHD tendencies, executive functioning, leadership awareness, and founder burnout, and why understanding your strengths and weaknesses can transform how you operate your business
More profit, less grind? Take the Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard: https://buildersfreedomreadiness.scoreapp.com/ -
Most business owners think their biggest challenge is discipline. Work harder. Focus more. Push through. But what if the real issue isn't motivation at all?
In this episode of The ToolShed Podcast, Mick Hawes sits down with ADHD strategist and academic Skye Waterson, founder of Unconventional Organisation, to unpack how ADHD actually shows up in business.
Many entrepreneurs struggle with time blindness, working memory challenges, and executive function, which can lead to missed deadlines, forgotten tasks, and constant frustration despite knowing exactly what needs to be done.
This conversation is particularly relevant for construction business owners, builders, and entrepreneurs who often juggle multiple responsibilities, site demands, and constant decision-making.
Connect with Skye:
Website: https://www.unconventionalorganisation.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnconventionalOrganisation
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unconventionalorganisation/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/skye-waterson-026286204/
Podcast: https://www.unconventionalorganisation.com/theadhdskillslab
Instead of forcing your brain to work harder, this episode explores how to design systems that work with the way your brain naturally operates.
More profit, less grind? Take the Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard: https://buildersfreedomreadiness.scoreapp.com/ -
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 with Kym O'Leary, founder of COgear Industrial Workwear and inventor of the HMZ tear-away hemming system. With nearly two decades of experience in mining and manufacturing, Kym saw firsthand how women in industrial and construction environments were forced to wear poorly designed workwear built for men.
Instead of waiting for change, she created it.
Connect with Kym:
Company: https://www.cogear.com.au/ & https://hmz.design/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/COGearAU
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cogearau/ & https://www.instagram.com/hmz.hemming/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hmz.design/
Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@kym.olearyIf you're a builder, business owner, or leader in construction looking to improve culture, inclusion, and practical outcomes on site, this episode will give you perspective.
More profit, less grind? Take the Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard: https://buildersfreedomreadiness.scoreapp.com/
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What if modern success is the very thing making people miserable?
In Part 2 of this conversation, Jim Penman shares the deeper philosophy behind building one of the largest franchise networks in the Southern Hemisphere and why long term thinking matters more than ever.
We explore why short term rewards and dopamine driven habits are quietly eroding fulfillment, how comfort can weaken discipline, and why responsibility remains the foundation of lasting success. Jim challenges the idea that more money, speed, and stimulation automatically lead to a better life.
Connect with Jim Penman:
Website: https://jimpenman.com.au/
Jim's Group: https://jims.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thejimpenman/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejimpenman/
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thejimpenman
Tiktok: tiktok.com/@jimsgroup
Twitter: twitter.com/jimsgroup
Jim's Podcast: www.youtube.com/@JimsGroup
Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/3bHnSxYzGx4Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@TheToolShedPodcast
Take the free 2-minute Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard: https://buildersfreedomreadiness.scoreapp.com/
Stay tuned next week when we talk about it. So, don't forget to subscribe to the show to get that episode as soon it gets released. Until then, stay healthy.
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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 ToolShed Podcast, I sit down with Jim Penman, founder of Jim's Group, the largest franchise network in the Southern Hemisphere with more than 5,500 franchisees across 50+ service divisions.
In Part 1 of this conversation, we unpack the foundations that allowed Jim to scale a simple service business into a household name, without sacrificing relationships, values, or long-term thinking.
Connect with Jim Penman:
Website: https://jimpenman.com.au/
Jim's Group: https://jims.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thejimpenman/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejimpenman/
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@thejimpenman
Tiktok: tiktok.com/@jimsgroup
Twitter: twitter.com/jimsgroup
Jim's Podcast: www.youtube.com/@JimsGroup
Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/3bHnSxYzGx4Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@TheToolShedPodcast
Take the free 2-minute Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard: https://buildersfreedomreadiness.scoreapp.com/
Stay tuned next week when we talk about it. So, don't forget to subscribe to the show to get that episode as soon it gets released. Until then, stay healthy.
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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 often unseen side of growth resilience, uncertainty, discipline, and the long stretches where effort comes long before reward.
This is not a story about overnight success or shortcuts. It's a practical conversation about staying in the game when outcomes aren't guaranteed, and why that mindset matters deeply for builders and business owners navigating pressure, risk, and responsibility.
Connect with Mark Deacon:
Website: https://archix.ai/en & https://www.canibuild.com/en-us/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/canibuildapp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canibuild/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@canibuild2020
Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/Pr0nKE7kzhoSubscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@TheToolShedPodcast
Take the free 2-minute Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard: https://buildersfreedomreadiness.scoreapp.com/
Stay tuned next week when we talk about it. So, don't forget to subscribe to the show to get that episode as soon it gets released. Until then, stay healthy.
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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 builders — and why it's rarely about price, confidence, or closing techniques.
This conversation explores a powerful shift: builders don't struggle with sales because they lack skill, but because they've been taught to pitch instead of listen. Rebekah explains how buyer psychology, trust, and better questions lead to calmer conversations, less price resistance, and better-fit clients.
Connect with Rebekah Tucker:
Website: https://sandler.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandlertraining/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandlertraining/
Twitter: https://x.com/SandlerTraining
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/sandlerworldwideWatch the full episode: https://youtu.be/hbNVIboC05M
Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@TheToolShedPodcast
Take the free 2-minute Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard: https://buildersfreedomreadiness.scoreapp.com/
Stay tuned next week when we talk about it. So, don't forget to subscribe to the show to get that episode as soon it gets released. Until then, stay healthy.
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In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Mick dives deeper into the real mechanics of pricing with globally respected business author and advisor Andrew Griffiths.
You'll hear why holding prices steady while costs rise is one of the fastest ways to silently destroy profit, and how small, well-explained pricing adjustments can actually increase trust, not reduce it.
Andrew breaks down why customers don't resist price increases — they resist poor explanations, inconsistency, and a lack of perceived value. Through practical examples (including restaurants, professional services, and construction), he shows how builders can reposition their business around experience, professionalism, and certainty rather than price.
Connect with Andrew Griffiths:
Website: https://www.andrewgriffiths.com.au/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrew.griffiths.165
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agauthor/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/griffithsandrew
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AndrewMarkGriffiths1
Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/WQSHEaf91MA
Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@TheToolShedPodcast
Take the free 2-minute Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard: https://buildersfreedomreadiness.scoreapp.com/
Stay tuned next week when we talk about it. So, don't forget to subscribe to the show to get that episode as soon it gets released. Until then, stay healthy.
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In Part 1 of this powerful conversation, Mick Hawes sits down with Andrew Griffiths to unpack one of the most uncomfortable and misunderstood topics in the building industry: pricing.
This episode dives into why so many builders stay busy yet financially stretched, how fear-based pricing quietly erodes profit, and why being "competitive" often does more damage than good. Andrew challenges long-held beliefs around price, value, and confidence, revealing why the best clients aren't chasing the cheapest quote — they're looking for certainty, professionalism, and belief.
Connect with Andrew Griffiths:
Website: https://www.andrewgriffiths.com.au/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrew.griffiths.165
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agauthor/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/griffithsandrew
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AndrewMarkGriffiths1Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/evAWDqCDOLc
Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@TheToolShedPodcast
Take the free 2-minute Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard: https://buildersfreedomreadiness.scoreapp.com/
Stay tuned next week when we talk about it. So, don't forget to subscribe to the show to get that episode as soon it gets released. Until then, stay healthy.
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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, Co-Owner of Trade Aid Kits, to uncover why so many first aid kits used by tradies are outdated, poorly designed, and not fit for the real risks faced on construction and mining sites.
Nick shares what he's learned supplying first aid kits to thousands of Aussie tradies and why "tick-the-box" compliance often creates a false sense of security. From eye injuries and deep cuts to burns and remote-site emergencies, this conversation highlights what first aid should look like in 2026 and why upgrading your kit is really about protecting your people, not just meeting regulations.
This is a must-listen for builders, tradies, and construction business owners who want safer sites, stronger teams, and a more professional operation.
Connect with Trade Aid Kits & Nick White:
Website:https://tradeaidkits.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tradeaidkits/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tradeaidkits/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-white-b07907171/
Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/JPoTDtSvsI8
Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@TheToolShedPodcast
Take the free 2-minute Builder Freedom Readiness Scorecard:https://buildersfreedomreadiness.scoreapp.com/Stay tuned next week when we talk about it. So, don't forget to subscribe to the show to get that episode as soon it gets released. Until then, stay healthy.
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