Tradies: Success Takes Time And Investment

For many tradies looking to take the step from employee to business owner, being your own boss and having overnight success is a large part of the appeal of starting a company. 

Sure, we’d all like the freedom of calling the shots and leaving behind an empire or legacy, But Rome wasn’t built in a day. And much like starting a tradie business, you need to lay the foundations of time, resources and money before you start to reap the rewards.

Small Fish Jon Dale, who spends a large part of his time mentoring tradies who are starting their own business, likens the process to training an apprentice or a new employee. 

“When you start an apprentice, they don’t know anything and you’ve got to invest a lot of time and energy and effort into teaching them and training them so they become good tradespeople,” he says.

“Even when you hire new tradespeople who are experienced, they’re going to take a bit of time to settle in. They’re going to take a bit of time to learn where everything is, how you do everything in this business, and learn your systems and your structures - the ones you’ve built so that they are functioning and a useful member of your team.”

To ensure onboarding is smooth - much like the early days of building your business - Dale suggests the use of ‘systems,’ a concept he praised regularly in his coaching.

“It’s important that they follow your systems and structures, and they don’t just go out there and do everything their way,” he continues.

“That’s how you stay a team and it can give your customers a consistent result irrespective of which tradesperson shows up to do a job.”

Putting in important structures is another example of investing time now to see the benefits long term. Even spending money doesn’t necessarily bring results straight away.

Looking to start your own business? Head to Qualify Me! to see how a tradesman coach like Dale can give you the keys to success.