Episode #59
EP. 59 One Last Crack: From “Shitter’s Ditch” to a Business That Works for Them
WORKING THE TRADE, LIVING THE LIFE What happens when you’re doing all the work, but the business still isn’t working for you? This week, Kate is joined by coaching clients Toby and Sem Brown from Brown Carpentry for a very real conversation about what happened when they decided to give their business one last crack. Toby and Sem originally went into business chasing something most tradie families want: more freedom, more flexibility and more time together as a family. Instead, the business eventually became another hamster wheel. Toby was working six to six-and-a-half days a week. The team was busy. There was work coming in. But the money wasn’t there. Behind the scenes, Toby and Sem were juggling financial pressure, two mortgages, tax debt, family life and a move to Horsham so their daughter Iris could attend a special school. They reached the point where something had to change. And rather than walking away, they decided to back themselves and have one last crack. In this episode, Kate, Toby and Sem unpack: Why being busy doesn’t necessarily mean you’re making money The moment they realised they didn’t actually know their numbers Discovering they were losing $20 to $30 for every hour they worked Why increasing their prices was such a huge mindset shift for Toby Going from “winging it” to having systems, plans and structure The difference between being a great tradie and running a great trade business Why Toby went from six-and-a-half days of work to four days on the tools How creating a dedicated admin day changed both the business and their relationship Learning to lead a team instead of trying to be everyone’s mate Why knowing your numbers gives you the confidence to back your pricing The ripple effect financial pressure can have on your relationship and family Why coaching only works when you’re willing to implement the uncomfortable stuff The self-worth lesson that changed the way Toby approaches business Why, after everything they’ve been through, Toby and Sem feel like they’re only just getting warmed up There’s plenty of business strategy in this conversation, including pricing, profitability, systems, leadership, cashflow and knowing your numbers. But underneath all of it is something bigger. Toby and Sem didn't just turn around their business. They created more time together. They changed the way they communicate. They became more confident in their decisions. And they gave themselves the space to start dreaming about what's next again. Sometimes the turning point isn’t having everything figured out. Sometimes it’s simply deciding to have one last crack and then being willing to do things differently. ✨ Key Takeaway You don’t always need to give up. Sometimes you need to stop doing business the way you’ve always done it. Toby and Sem were working harder and harder without getting ahead. But once they understood their numbers, backed their worth and were willing to make uncomfortable changes, the ripple effect went far beyond profit. The business got better. Their relationship got better. Family life got better. And for the first time in a long time, they had the space to think about what could come next. Sometimes “one last crack” isn’t about pushing harder. It’s about finally doing things differently. THE MONEY JUNKET: A TRADIE COUPLES RETREAT 21st to 23rd AUGUST 2026 - BRISBANE QLD Get on the Same Page. Fix the Numbers. Feel Like a Couple Again. Join us at southbank Click here to register. Limited spots, because we keep these events intimate and interactive. Ready to take your tradie business to the next level? Money Junket 2026 Join us for our biggest event of the year—helping tradie couples build profitable, sustainable businesses (without burning out or breaking their relationship). https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/the-money-junket-bne-2026 The Empowered Tradie Business Program (FREE) Get clarity, structure, and direction in your business—without the overwhelm. https://ghl.ladieswithtradies.com/empowered-tradie-program Find ‘What To Fix First’ Not sure what’s holding your business back? Let’s figure it out together. https://links.ladieswithtradies.com/widget/bookings/30min_chatdirect
