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UpScale Business Coaching

The #1 Business Podcast for Service and Trade-based business owners who want to take control of their lives and understand the Road Map towards financial Freedom through their business. Join Industry-leading Coaches Mitch Van and Erina Roch with world-class experts as we discuss all things business, Marketing, leadership, Growth and more. Get instant access to tools, tips, tricks and hacks that have helped to explode thousands of businesses just like yours.

  1. 1 day ago

    The Big Dog Effect: Why Successful Tradies Pull Away When Life Gets Hard - Ep 371

    In this episode, Erina sits down with Mitch and Brandon Lewis to talk about something most trade business owners feel but rarely say out loud: the pressure to always have it together. Mitch opens up about a tough few months, from taking a step back in the business to training for an Ironman and a marathon, and how the two things collided into what he calls the "Big Dog Effect." The idea is simple but hits hard. Once you reach a certain level as a business owner, people start looking up to you. You don't want to let them down, so when things get tough, instead of leaning on the people around you, you withdraw. Mitch, Erina and Brandon unpack why this happens, why it's often the ones who look most "successful" who struggle the most in silence, and what it actually takes to break the pattern. You'll hear real talk about: Why pulling away from your support network makes hard times harder, not easierThe difference between people who work through their problems and those who avoid themWhy admitting "I need help" feels so uncomfortable for business owners, and why it shouldn'tHow to spot the right people to let into your corner, the ones who'll hold you accountable instead of just telling you what you want to hearWhy community isn't a nice to have when you're building a business, it's often the thing that keeps you in the gameIf you've ever felt like you're supposed to have all the answers because you're the one running the show, this episode is for you. Growth isn't a straight line, and the tradies who make it aren't the ones who never struggle, they're the ones who don't go through it alone. Connect with the hosts:Erina: @erinaroxxMitch: @mitchvan_Brandon: @brandonlewis.co We've got the tools you need to scale your business, automate, hire, and delegate. Book your call with our team to talk strategy and learn more about our program. Need help growing your business? Follow us on IG for daily content for your trade business: @upscalebusinesscoaching Book a free session with our Growth Specialist: upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcast Watch insights and tips on YouTube: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtube Find out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: upscale-coaching.com/application-podcast Hear from tradies who've done it: upscalecoaching.com.au/success-stories Live Coaching Events 2026: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-live-events

  2. 4 days ago

    How Business Changes: From Doing It All to Running the Show - Ep 370

    Every trade business changes as it grows, and the challenges never really stop, they just look different. In this episode, Erina (@erinaroxx) sits down with Kaz, her very first hire, to talk about what each stage of business looks like for tradies and small business owners. They start where most of us start, when it's just you wearing every hat, and work through the first hire, getting your processes out of your head, and letting go of the jobs you're still holding onto. They also cover how to build trust with your team, what changes when you step off the tools, and why community makes the whole journey easier. If you're a trade business owner wondering what comes next, or feeling stuck in the "doing everything" stage, this one will help you see the bigger picture. In this episode: What you learn when you're doing everything yourselfHiring your first employee, and why being upfront about the real job mattersWhy it pays to learn to fire fasterWhere AI helps your business and where you still need your own thinkingDocumenting your systems so you don't scale your problemsHow to build trust and let go of tasks as a business ownerWhat changes when you step off the tools and start looking at your numbersWhy business is never a straight line, and how cash flow and lead generation can trip you upFinding your purpose and why you don't need to compare yourself to anyone elseWhy community matters at every stageChapters:00:00 The evolution of business01:57 The first hire and its challenges05:54 Using technology and AI in your business08:33 Building a team and streamlining processes09:31 Growing pains for business owners14:12 Trust, training and business changes18:19 Vision and keeping an eye on your numbers20:52 Wins and challenges in business growth25:17 Community and support Follow Erina on Instagram: @erinaroxx: https://www.instagram.com/erinaroxx/ Need help growing your business? Follow us on IG for daily content for your trade business: @upscalebusinesscoachingBook a free session with our Growth Specialist: upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcastWatch insights and tips on YouTube: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtubeFind out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: upscale-coaching.com/application-podcastHear from tradies who've done it, and learn what it really takes to grow a successful trade business: https://www.upscalecoaching.com.au/success-stories/ Live Coaching Events 2026: https://www.upscale-coaching.com/upscale-live-events

  3. 7 Oct

    Paying Yourself Too Much Too Soon Could Be Killing Your Business - Ep 369

    Most trade business owners don't fall short because they lack skills or smarts. They fall short because they don't do what they said they'd do. In this episode, Erina and Mitch get blunt about accountability, honest feedback, and why the people around you need to tell you the truth, even when it stings. You'll hear why a coach who only cheers you on might just be keeping you happy so you keep paying, and how the right questions can help you spot your own blind spots faster than any lecture. They also dig into the money side of accountability. If your business is still small but you're paying yourself like it's much bigger, you could be starving it of the cash it needs to grow. Plus, how to give honest feedback without wrecking the relationship, and why you need to be ready to take it as well as give it. What you'll hear in this episode: Why saying you'll do something and actually doing it are two very different thingsThe difference between people who talk to think and people who think before they talkWhy honest feedback beats praise when you want real resultsHow paying yourself too much, too early can hold your business backWhy calling people out works best when you're open to being called out yourselfA challenge to hold someone accountable this week (nicely)Follow the hosts on Instagram:@erinaroxx@mitchvan_ Need help growing your business? Follow us on IG for daily content for your trade business: @upscalebusinesscoachingBook a free session with our Growth Specialist: upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcastWatch insights and tips on YouTube: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtubeFind out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: upscale-coaching.com/application-podcastHear from tradies who've done it, and learn what it really takes to grow a successful trade business: Success stories Live Coaching Events 2026: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-live-events

  4. 4 Oct

    Why We're Taking an AI Detox (And What Mitch Is Doing With the Extra Time) - Ep

    AI can save a tradie hours every week. But what happens when it starts taking over your day and your time at home? In this solo episode, Mitch Van (@mitchvan_) shares what came out of a recent masterclass conversation with our UpScale Mentors, where the team got talking about taking an AI detox. Mitch talks about why stepping back from AI can be a good thing for you and your business, where AI helps and where it gets in the way, and how he has been using that time to be more present with his family and kids. If you run a trade business and feel like you're always switched on, always chasing the next tool or shortcut, this one is for you. It's a reminder that growing your business shouldn't cost you time with the people you're working for. In this episode: Why our UpScale Mentors are taking an AI detoxWhere AI helps a trade business and where it doesn'tHow Mitch is spending more time with his family and kidsSimple ways to switch off and still grow your businessFollow Mitch on Instagram: @mitchvan_: https://www.instagram.com/mitchvan_/ Need help growing your business? Follow us on IG for daily content for your trade business: @upscalebusinesscoachingBook a free session with our Growth Specialist: upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcastWatch insights and tips on YouTube: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtubeFind out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: upscale-coaching.com/application-podcastHear from tradies who've done it, and learn what it really takes to grow a successful trade business: https://www.upscalecoaching.com.au/success-stories/ Live Coaching Events 2026: https://www.upscale-coaching.com/upscale-live-events

  5. 30 Sept

    Pricing on Gut Feel? Here's What It's Costing Your Trade Business - Ep 368

    Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes once you sign up with a business coaching team? In this episode, Lucy (business coach) and Riley (accounting coach) pull back the curtain on how their two sides work together to get real results for trade business owners. They break down the "gym membership" comparison that makes it all click: your business coach is like your PT, focused on systems, hiring, and growth, while your accounting coach is the nutritionist, digging into the numbers that actually drive those results. Neither works without the other. The conversation covers the pricing mistake almost every tradie makes early on: setting prices off a gut feel instead of real numbers. Lucy and Riley talk through why understanding your break even per hour changes everything, why aiming for 20 to 30% net profit isn't arbitrary, and how customer loyalty (using a local coffee shop price rise as the example) plays into how confidently you can raise your own prices. They also share a client success story involving a tradie who scaled from $70K jobs to $700K projects, and how forecasting a full 12 months ahead, including planning for the slow December, January, February period, helped him avoid the classic post project cash crunch that catches so many trade businesses off guard. If you've ever felt unsure about your pricing, your cashflow, or whether you're actually on track for the year, this episode gives you a real look at how coaching, planning, and honest numbers work together to build a trade business that lasts. In this episode: How business coaching and accounting coaching work as one team, not two separate servicesWhy most tradies price off gut feel and what to check insteadUnderstanding your break even per hour and why 20 to 30% net profit mattersHow to talk to customers about price increases with confidencePlanning ahead for seasonal slumps so a big project doesn't leave you short laterWhy the coaching only works if you take the actions between sessionsResources mentioned:Follow Upscale Business Coaching on Instagram for daily content for your trade business: https://www.instagram.com/upscalebusinesscoaching/ Book a free session with a Growth Specialist: https://upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcast Watch more insights and tips on YouTube: https://www.upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtube Find out where your business stands with the Tradie Quiz: https://upscale-coaching.com/application-podcast Hear from tradies who've grown their business with Upscale: https://www.upscalecoaching.com.au/success-stories/ Live Coaching Events 2026: https://www.upscale-coaching.com/upscale-live-events

  6. 27 Sept

    2 Days in Thailand with Taki Moore: Here's What We Learned - Ep 367

    Erina and Mitch are back from Thailand, and they're bringing a reminder every trade business owner needs to hear: you will never stop learning, but at some point you have to stop consuming and start doing. In this short clip, they talk about the shift from filling notebooks with ideas to actually implementing them, and why that action is what really sets successful tradies apart. Coming back from a trip full of new ideas, their focus now is putting what they learned into practice, not letting it sit on a shelf. If you've ever finished a podcast, a course, or a coaching session feeling fired up but unsure what to actually do next, this one's for you. Follow the hosts: @erinaroxx @mitchvan_ Need help growing your business? Follow us on Instagram for daily content for your trade business: @upscalebusinesscoaching Book a free session with our Growth Specialist: upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcast Watch insights and tips on YouTube: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtube Find out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: upscale-coaching.com/application-podcast Hear from tradies who've done it: upscalecoaching.com.au/success-stories Live Coaching Events 2026: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-live-events

  7. 23 Sept

    Tradie Dad Leigh Ryan on Why Your Apprentices Are an Investment, Not Cheap Labour - Ep 367

    Tradie Dad Leigh Ryan on Apprentices, Fatherhood and Building a Following from Nothing Landscaper turned social media favourite Leigh Ryan, aka Tradie Dad, joins Mitch on the Upscale Business Podcast to talk about what happens when a bloke on parental leave decides to press upload on Instagram, and it actually works. Leigh shares how his page grew from a few rough videos filmed on site to nearly 17,000 followers, and the video that changed everything: calling out a carpenter for mistreating his apprentice. He gets honest about what it's really like being an apprentice in Australia right now, why he sees apprentices as an investment rather than cheap labour, and why so many young tradies are walking away from the trades for easier money elsewhere. The conversation shifts into fatherhood, where Leigh talks candidly about the guilt of building a second job around raising his son, why dads get praised for doing the bare minimum, and what real partnership with your other half actually looks like. He also runs his Tools Down, Heads Up sessions for apprentices, covering mental health, money and the stuff nobody teaches you on site. If you're a trade business owner trying to build a team, support your apprentices properly, or just juggle work and family without losing the plot, this one's worth your time. Follow Tradie Dad on Instagram: @tradie.dad Hosted by Mitch: @mitchvan_ Need help growing your business? Follow us on Instagram for daily content for your trade business: @upscalebusinesscoaching Book a free session with our Growth Specialist: upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcast Watch insights and tips on YouTube: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtube Find out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: upscale-coaching.com/application-podcast Hear from tradies who've done it and learn what it really takes to grow a successful trade business: upscalecoaching.com.au/success-stories Live Coaching Events 2026: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-live-events

  8. 20 Sept

    Debunking Tradie Myths with Geggs and Dave - Ep 366

    In this episode of the UpScale Business Coaching Podcast, Dave sits down with the team to tackle the myths tradies hear (or tell themselves) that quietly hold their business back. These aren't random opinions. They're the real excuses and beliefs that come up again and again on the phones with tradies looking to grow, and Dave breaks down why each one falls apart once you look closer. You'll hear the truth behind statements like "I don't want to grow too big because I had a bad experience last time," why systems and onboarding (not headcount) are usually the real problem, and how letting go of being the guy on the tools is the hardest but most important shift for any tradie business owner. They also get into profit margins, why relying only on word of mouth is leaving money on the table, and why coaching should be seen as an investment, not an expense. If you're a trade business owner stuck in your own head about growth, this episode will challenge what you think you know and give you a clearer path forward. Got a myth you think we missed? Drop it in the comments and we'll debunk it in a future episode. Need help growing your business? Follow us on Instagram for daily content for your trade business: @upscalebusinesscoaching Book a free session with our Growth Specialist: upscale-coaching.com/schedule-podcast Watch insights and tips on YouTube: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-youtube Find out where your business stands with our Tradie Quiz: upscale-coaching.com/application-podcast Hear from tradies who've done it: upscalecoaching.com.au/success-stories Live Coaching Events 2026: upscale-coaching.com/upscale-live-events

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The #1 Business Podcast for Service and Trade-based business owners who want to take control of their lives and understand the Road Map towards financial Freedom through their business. Join Industry-leading Coaches Mitch Van and Erina Roch with world-class experts as we discuss all things business, Marketing, leadership, Growth and more. Get instant access to tools, tips, tricks and hacks that have helped to explode thousands of businesses just like yours.

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