Trade Legends | Construction Podcast

E91 | Plumbing has DESTROYED my body. It's time to GIVE IT UP -Battle of the Podcasts- "We f**kin' hate you lot!" In this week's episode, Alex and Mark sit down with gas engineer Kieran, and plumber Pete from @OffTheJobpodcastuk Kieran initially planned on being an electrician, but after working as a labourer with a plumber, he decided to pursue a career as a plumber and gas engineer, and after completing his apprenticeship he decided to set up his own business. We spoke to Pete back in Episode 43, where he discussed how he became a plumber in the construction industry, but also how he knew that he wouldn't be able to stay working in the trades forever. Pete now knows that within 2 years, he will be off the tools completely. The guys started their podcast around 1 year ago, after a chance meeting at a trades event where Kieran was speaking. "Who's this f**kin' wally..." Pete thought to himself. Little did he know that in a matter of months he would be co-hosting a successful trades podcast with him. #tradesman #construction #podcast Guests this week: Kieran and Pete @OffTheJobpodcastuk Hosts: Alex @alexinsley Mark @MJTiffPlumbing ⭐ Supported by Tradify | https://tradifyhq.com/ | @TradifyHQ 🏷️ Save on over 50 Trade Brands | https://tradelegends.uk/discounts/

The tool theft debate heats up as tradespeople face off against car boot sale defenders! In this episode of Trade Legends, we dive deep into the controversial issue of stolen tools being sold at car boots. Witness the passionate clash between those fighting to protect tradespeople's livelihoods and those defending the cherished British tradition of car boots. Shoaib,  @thegasexpert-yt  a dedicated advocate for the Trades United movement and anti-tool theft campaigner, has returned. Hear his compelling arguments for banning power tool sales at car boos and his firsthand experiences with the devastating impact of tool theft. On the other side, Walter  @AntiquesArena  , a seasoned car boot sale veteran, shares his concerns about the potential consequences of such a ban on the car boot sale community. The debate covers crucial topics like the scale of tool theft in London, the role of police and government in addressing the issue, and potential solutions such as tool marking and stricter regulations. Don't miss the heated exchanges on controversial points like the source of tools at car boot sales and the impact of online marketplaces on the problem. This unmissable episode of Trade Legends brings the tool theft crisis to the forefront, highlighting the urgent need for action while exploring the complex implications for various stakeholders. Whether you're a tradesperson, car boot enthusiast, or concerned citizen, this debate will leave you with plenty to ponder about the future of tool sales and theft prevention in the UK. Guests this week: Shoaib  @thegasexpert-yt  Walter  @AntiquesArena  Hosts: Nathan ⭐ Proudly Sponsored by CT1 | www.ct1.com | @ct1ltd ⭐ Supported by Tradify | https://tradifyhq.com/ | @TradifyHQ 🏷️ Save on over 50 Trade Brands | https://tradelegends.uk/discounts/ #tooltheft #carboots #construction #trades

Brace yourself for tales of working insane hours, dealing with nightmare clients, and making rookie mistakes. Dom from Pride and Gardens, a landscaping powerhouse who went from labouring for peanuts to running a 10-man operation in just over a decade. Dom pulls back the curtain on his incredible rags-to-riches journey, dishing out priceless tips for budding landscapers looking to make it big. His hilarious stories of early pricing blunders and taking on way too much will have you crying with laughter. Then, we pivot to the plumbing world with Liam Wood from Sterling, a millennial plumber who's taken social media by storm. Liam spills the beans on what it's really like being an employee vs. going out on your own, working graveyard shifts for council contractors. His fresh perspective is a must-watch for any tradesperson curious about the life of an Instagram plumber! This hard-hitting episode is an absolute masterclass in the trades, packed with brilliant business insights, banter, and controversial opinions. Whether you're a veteran tradie or just starting out, there's something in here for everyone. ___ Guests this week: Dom & Liam ⭐ Proudly Sponsored by CT1 | www.ct1.com | @ct1ltd ⭐ Supported by Tradify | https://tradifyhq.com/ | @TradifyHQ 🏷️ Save on over 50 Trade Brands | https://tradelegends.uk/discounts/

On this episode of the Trade Legends Podcast, we’re joined by Ben Rudman, a driveway and landscaping contractor whose honest, no-filter videos have made him one of social media's most relatable tradesmen. Ben explains how he started his business at just 20 years old with little more than a Vauxhall Vectra, a spirit level and his son’s car seat on the back seat. He opens up about struggling at school with undiagnosed dyslexia, why people wrongly assumed he wasn’t intelligent, and how discovering martial arts gave his constantly active mind somewhere to focus.Ben shares the brutal lessons he learned as his business grew, including stepping away from the day-to-day work and trusting the wrong people. One employee began taking customer deposits without Ben’s knowledge, while other workers used his tools and business name to complete private jobs behind his back. When customers began calling about work they believed they had already paid for, Ben used his own money to complete the jobs and protect the reputation he had spent years building. We also discuss late-paying customers, why workers should never have to beg for a pay rise, and why business owners must always make sure their staff are paid before themselves.We also discuss the financial mistakes tradespeople make, from wasting money trying to look successful to reaching retirement without an exit plan. Ben explains how seeing a successful local tradesman arrive in a brand-new Mercedes changed his outlook as a teenager, why he began investing in property, and how breaking his leg showed him the importance of emergency savings. From building a martial arts academy and raising children involved in MMA and football to learning Spanish and planning a future in Spain, this is an honest conversation about loyalty, family, money and the harsh realities of building a trade business.

On this episode of the Trade Legends Podcast, we’re joined by Stick and Jack from Trademark Digital, the no-bullshit marketing agency helping tradespeople and construction brands connect with the people who actually buy from them. We start with the question every marketing agency is being asked: if AI can build websites, write social posts, create adverts and plan a business strategy, why do we still need agencies? Stick and Jack explain why AI is a massive opportunity rather than a threat, how they use it to work faster, and why it will never replace trust, personality or the human support people need when things get difficult.We dig into Trademark Digital’s rapid growth, the mistakes they made early on and why they changed their business model several times before finding what worked. They explain why traditional monthly retainers weren’t always affordable for sole traders, how that led to the creation of the Trademark Toolbox, and why its community has become far more valuable than they ever imagined. We also discuss tradespeople becoming personal brands, why 10,000 engaged followers can be worth more than 100,000 passive ones, the declining trust in influencer marketing, and why businesses can no longer judge creators by follower numbers alone.Stick also opens up about the reality of being a woman in a male-dominated industry, including being told she wouldn’t win a contract because she was female and sitting in meetings where questions directed at her were answered to her male business partner instead. Jack reflects on rebuilding his life after a stroke took him away from carpentry, while together they reveal the long days, constant travelling, missed family time, and moments when running the business nearly became too much. From viral posts and online hate to trade shows, networking and building a community people genuinely want to join, this is an honest conversation about showing up consistently, backing yourself and building a business around people rather than algorithms.