Off The Tools with Wayne and Andy 🔥

Wayne Bettess and Andy Jones

Welcome to the Off The Tools Podcast, where two of the UK's best trade business coaches, Wayne Bettess & Andrew Jones, deliver tons of free value week in week out to help trade business owners level up their business and more importantly themselves. Wayne Bettess & Andrew Jones are passionate entrepreneurs & trade business owners themselves who are committed to personal and professional development. on this channel, Wayne & Andy share their wisdom on mindset, self-development, and offer glimpses into how to create a life that is one of choice and freedom.

  1. 4 days ago

    #33 From RAV4 To 700 Bathrooms: Daniel Bull On Building A Trade Business, Training Centre & Freedom

    n this episode of the Off The Tools Podcast, Wayne Bettess and Andy Jones sit down with Daniel Bull, director of Elite Plumbing & Construction, Pro Trades Training Centre, and Get Glowing. Daniel shares his journey from starting out with a Toyota RAV4, B&M storage boxes and no real plan… to building a fast-growing bathroom refurbishment business completing nearly 700 bathroom projects and around 14 bathrooms a month. This is a proper real-world conversation about what it takes to grow a trade business in the UK — from learning the hard way, underpricing, managing subcontractors, building systems, tracking profit, handling staff, creating customer journeys, using AI, and launching a trade training centre to solve the skills gap. Wayne, Andy and Daniel also discuss the reality of moving from tradesman to entrepreneur, why mindset matters, why systems and processes are essential, and how freedom becomes more important than just chasing money. This episode is perfect for plumbers, bathroom fitters, heating engineers, tilers, tradesmen, and business owners who want honest insight into trade business growth, business coaching for tradesmen, bathroom business marketing, customer experience, systems, leadership, training and scaling a trades business. How Daniel built Elite Plumbing & ConstructionGrowing from one bathroom a week to high-volume bathroom installationsThe reality of managing tradesmen, subcontractors and office staffWhy customer journey and cleanliness matter in high-value bathroom jobsBuilding internal systems to track profit, callbacks and labourUsing AI, ChatGPT, Meta ads and sales funnels in a trade businessCreating an online instant estimate tool for bathroom leadsWhy Daniel launched Pro Trades Training CentreThe skills gap in UK trades and why training needs to changeMoving from tradesman mindset to entrepreneur mindsetDaniel’s story proves that building a successful trade business isn’t just about being good on the tools. It takes systems, marketing, leadership, customer experience, training, and the willingness to keep evolving. From bathrooms to training centres to new business ideas — this is a great example of what happens when a tradesman starts thinking like a proper business owner. 🔥 In This Episode:💥 Key Takeaway

    1hr 2min

  2. 17 Jun

    #32 The Identity Trap: Why Tradesmen Struggle To Become Business Owners

    In this episode of the Off The Tools Podcast, Wayne Bettess and Andy Jones dig into one of the biggest hidden problems holding tradesmen back: the identity trap. Many plumbers, heating engineers, electricians and trades business owners start out as great tradesmen — but never fully make the shift into becoming real business owners. They stay stuck being “busy”, doing everything themselves, avoiding delegation, underusing systems, and measuring success by how full the diary is instead of how well the business runs. Wayne and Andy discuss why so many tradesmen become accidental business owners, why being constantly busy is often a warning sign, and how ego, confidence, pricing, staffing, outsourcing and self-worth all play a part in business growth. This is a powerful conversation for UK tradesmen who want more than just another job in disguise. If you want to build a proper trade business with better systems, stronger pricing, more confidence and less reliance on you being on the tools every day, this episode is for you. Perfect for anyone interested in business coaching for tradesmen, tradesmen business coaching, plumbing business coaching, heating business coaching, trade business growth, business mindset, delegation, pricing, systems, and moving off the tools.

    34 min

  3. 11 Jun ·  Bonus

    #31 Free Live Q & A ... Get Registered NOW

    🔥Free Live Q&A for Tradesmen: Managing Diaries, Cash Flow & Business Overwhelm 🔥 👊🏻 Register for free - https://streamyard.com/watch/yzh2jq8gxVDH We're hosting a completely free live Q&A session designed specifically for busy tradesmen struggling with managing their diaries, cash flow, and the overall overwhelm of running a business. Join me and my business partner Wayne Bettess on June 16th at 7:00 PM on Zoom. You can participate by posting questions anonymously, or simply sit back and listen. Register using the link provided to secure your spot. 👊🏻 Register for free - https://streamyard.com/watch/yzh2jq8gxVDH ⚒️ #TradesmenBusiness #BusinessManagement #CashFlowTips #LiveQA #SmallBusinessOwners #TradesBusiness #BusinessOverwhelm #ZoomWebinar #FreeTraining #DiaryManagement

    1 min

  4. 10 Jun

    #30 The Retirement Trap No Tradesman Talks About | Exit Plans, Self-Employment & Building a Trade Business That Works

    What happens when your body gives up… but your business still depends on you? In this powerful episode of the Off The Tools Podcast, Wayne Bettess and Andy Jones dive into the retirement trap no tradesman talks about — and why so many self-employed plumbers, heating engineers, electricians and tradesmen unknowingly build themselves a job with no exit strategy. If you’re a self-employed tradesman, business owner, sole trader or subcontractor, this conversation will challenge the way you think about money, freedom, retirement, recurring revenue and long-term business growth. Because here’s the uncomfortable truth: Most tradesmen don’t have an exit plan… they just plan to keep working. And when your income is tied to your body, that becomes a serious problem. Why most self-employed tradesmen have no retirement planThe dangerous trap of relying on your body to earn moneyWhy self-employment without systems becomes a stressful jobHow to create an exit strategy from your trade businessThe truth about pensions, recurring revenue & business valueWhy many tradesmen stay stuck in survival modeHow to stop trading time for money foreverWhy “working harder” isn’t a long-term strategyBuilding a trades business that creates freedom, profit & securityHow recurring income changes everything in a plumbing, heating or electrical business✅ Tradesmen business coaching✅ Plumbing business coaching UK✅ Heating engineer business advice✅ Gas engineer business growth✅ Self-employed tradesman advice✅ Exit planning for trades businesses✅ Boiler care plans & recurring revenue✅ How to grow a profitable trade business✅ Retirement planning for self-employed tradesmen✅ Building a trade business that works without you✅ Scaling a plumbing or heating business✅ Freedom, time & profit for tradespeople Are you building a business… or just building yourself a job you’ll never escape from? Wayne and Andy unpack the harsh reality that many self-employed tradesmen work harder every year but never build security for the future. From burnout and poor health to financial pressure and lack of planning, they explain why the traditional “just work harder” mindset no longer works in the trades industry. More importantly… They reveal how to start building something that creates time, freedom, profit and long-term stability — without needing a massive team or huge company. Self-employed plumbersHeating engineers & gas engineersElectricians & buildersSole traders feeling trapped in the day-to-day grindTrades business owners wanting more freedomAnyone looking for tradesmen business coachingTradespeople wanting to future-proof their business & incomeSelf-employment is not the goal. Freedom is. And freedom comes from building a business with systems, recurring revenue, better pricing and a plan for the future — not just working harder for longer. If your retirement plan is simply to “keep going”… You don’t have a plan. 🔥 In This Episode:⚒️ Topics Covered:💥 The Big Question:🚀 Perfect For:🎯 Key Takeaway:

    32 min

  5. 3 Jun

    #29 Self-Employed vs Employed Tradesmen | Why Going Self-Employed Isn’t Always Better (The Truth Nobody Talks About)

    Is going self-employed really the dream… or is it one of the biggest myths in the trades industry? In this powerful episode of the Off The Tools Podcast, Wayne Bettess and Andy Jones tackle one of the biggest and most controversial topics in the trade world: Should you stay employed or go self-employed? If you're a plumber, heating engineer, electrician, builder, gas engineer or tradesman considering going out on your own — or currently struggling with self-employment — this episode could save you years of stress, burnout and financial pressure. Because here’s the truth… Self-employed doesn’t automatically mean more money, more freedom or a better life. Wayne and Andy break down the REAL numbers behind employed vs self-employed tradesmen, uncover hidden costs nobody talks about, and explain why many tradespeople accidentally build themselves the worst job in the world. Self-employed vs employed tradesmen explainedWhy going self-employed isn’t always an upgradeThe REAL income comparison between employed & self-employed engineersHidden costs of running a trade business nobody talks aboutWhy good tradesmen still struggle in businessHow modern customers have changed the gameWhy “doing a good job” alone is no longer enoughHow stress, burnout & financial pressure destroy trades businessesWhy many tradesmen become trapped in self-employmentHow to think like a business owner instead of just a tradesman✅ Tradesmen business coaching✅ Plumbing business coaching✅ Heating engineer business advice✅ Gas engineer self-employment advice✅ Running a trades business in the UK✅ Trade business growth strategies✅ Self-employed vs employed plumber✅ How to grow a successful trades business✅ Job management software for tradesmen✅ Marketing for trade businesses✅ Pricing, profit & cash flow for trades businesses Are you actually building a business… Or have you just built yourself a stressful, low-paid job? Wayne and Andy discuss why many tradesmen end up overworked, underpaid and overwhelmed — working longer hours for less reward than a good employed engineer. They also reveal what separates the tradesmen who thrive from the ones who stay stuck. Self-employed plumbersHeating engineers & gas engineersElectricians & buildersTradesmen thinking about going self-employedStruggling sole tradersTrades business owners feeling overwhelmedAnyone wanting more profit, time & freedom in their trade businessBeing self-employed is NOT the goal. Building a profitable, secure, stress-free life is. Whether that means employment, self-employment, or building a proper business — the key is making the right decision for YOU and your family. Because in 2026, being a good tradesman alone is no longer enough. 🔥 In This Episode:⚒️ Topics Covered:💥 The Big Question:🚀 Perfect For:🎯 Key Takeaway:

    40 min

  6. 27 May

    #28 The Breaking Point | How Trades Businesses Collapse Under Pressure (And How To Prevent It)

    In this episode of the Off The Tools Podcast, Wayne Bettess and Andy Jones break down the brutal reality of what happens when a trades business hits breaking point. This isn’t theory. It’s real-world experience from running and scaling heating businesses through staffing problems, cash flow pressure, lost engineers, lead shortages, tax bills, burnout, and business chaos. If you’re a plumber, heating engineer, electrician, builder, or trades business owner trying to grow your company, this episode is essential listening. Because most trades businesses don’t collapse overnight… They crack slowly under pressure. And by the time most owners notice the warning signs — it’s already too late. Why trades businesses become fragileThe danger of relying on subcontracting workWhat happens when engineers leave at the wrong timeWhy poor cash flow destroys good businessesThe importance of recurring revenue & service plansHow to build a stronger, more stable trades businessWhy “being busy” hides serious problemsStaffing, hiring & protecting your business from collapseHow software & systems help prevent chaosThe real reason most trades businesses stay reactive✅ Trades business coaching✅ Plumbing business growth✅ Heating engineer business advice✅ Scaling a trades business✅ Service plans for tradesmen✅ Cash flow management for trades businesses✅ Business systems & software✅ Recruitment for trade companies✅ Avoiding burnout & overwhelm✅ Building a profitable trade business A busy diary does NOT mean you have a healthy business. If: One engineer leaving would cripple you…One contract disappearing would destroy cash flow…One quiet month would send you into panic mode……then your business is fragile. Wayne and Andy explain how to build real stability, stronger foundations, and a business that can survive pressure without falling apart. Plumbing business ownersHeating engineersElectriciansBuilders & contractorsTradesmen starting a businessBusiness owners feeling overwhelmed or stretchedAnyone wanting more security, profit & controlRecurring revenue & service plansJob management software for trades businessesStaff onboarding & recruitmentBuilding cash reservesLead generation strategiesThe dangers of subcontracting dependencyOff The Tools live Q&A webinar⚒️ Pressure reveals the truth about your business. The question is… Will your business survive when the pressure hits? 🔥 In This Episode:⚠️ Key Topics Covered:💥 Key Takeaway:🚀 Perfect For:📢 Mentioned In This Episode: register for the next webinar here - https://streamyard.com/watch/yzh2jq8gxVDH

    28 min

  7. 20 May

    #27 Ego Is Killing Your Trades Business | Why Most Tradesmen Stay Stuck & Burn Out

    In this powerful episode of the Off The Tools Podcast, Wayne Bettess and Andy Jones dive deep into one of the biggest things holding tradesmen back from building successful businesses… 👉 Their ego. From refusing help…To trying to be the hero…To believing “working harder” is the answer… This episode exposes why so many plumbers, heating engineers, electricians, builders, and trades business owners stay trapped on the tools, overwhelmed, stressed, and unable to grow. If you’ve ever said: “I’ll just do it myself”“Nobody can do it as good as me”“I don’t need help”“I’m too busy to stop”…then this episode is for you. Wayne and Andy break down the mindset shifts required to move from being just a tradesman… to becoming a real business owner. Why ego keeps tradesmen stuck on the toolsThe danger of trying to be the “hero” in your businessWhy being busy DOESN’T mean your business is healthyHow refusing help kills growth and freedomThe mindset shift required to scale a trades businessWhy great tradesmen still fail in businessDelegation, leadership & letting go of controlThe real reason some trades businesses stay small foreverWhy systems & support matter more than ever in 2026Being the best engineer, plumber, electrician or builder is no longer enough. The trades businesses winning today are the ones building systems, teams, processes, and support around themselves — instead of trying to carry everything alone. Your ego might feel like strength… But it could actually be the thing destroying your growth, profit, time, and family life. Plumbers & heating engineersElectricians & buildersTradesmen starting a businessOverworked business ownersTrades business coaching clientsAnyone wanting more freedom, profit & controlTrades business coaching UKBusiness mindset for tradesmenScaling a trades businessDelegation in businessTradesman burnoutLeadership for trade business ownersPricing & profitabilitySystems for trades businessesWhy tradesmen stay stuck⚒️ Most tradesmen don’t fail because they lack skill. They fail because they refuse to evolve. The moment you get out of your own way…Everything changes. 🔥 In This Episode:💥 Key Takeaway:🎯 Perfect For:🚀 Topics Covered: regisiter for next webinar here - https://streamyard.com/watch/yzh2jq8gxVDH

    31 min

  8. 13 May

    #26 Close More Jobs & Boost Revenue: The Best CRM & Automation Software for Tradesmen? | Trades Business Coaching UK

    Most trades businesses are losing jobs every single week…Not because they’re bad at the work.Because their systems, follow-up, and customer communication are weak. In this episode of the Off The Tools Podcast, Wayne and Andy break down how modern trades businesses are using CRM systems, automations, AI, and customer journeys to close more work, improve customer experience, and massively increase revenue. This is a deep dive into Sales Lion, a powerful sales and automation platform built specifically around the needs of UK trades businesses. If you’re a plumber, heating engineer, electrician, builder, or trades business owner looking to grow properly — this episode will open your eyes. Why most trades businesses lose leads without realising itHow automation helps close more boiler installs & service jobsBuilding customer journeys that increase conversions automaticallyHow review systems generate hundreds of 5-star reviewsUsing AI phone answering for out-of-hours enquiriesWhy follow-up systems are more important than ever in 2026The power of recurring revenue & automated service remindersHow to stop relying on memory, paper diaries, and chaosWhy tradesmen must start thinking like business ownersThe best trades businesses today are NOT winning because they’re the best on the tools… They’re winning because they have better systems, faster follow-up, stronger communication, and smarter automation. Plumbing business ownersHeating engineers & boiler companiesElectricians & service-based tradesTradesmen wanting more leads & better conversion ratesAnyone looking for business coaching for tradesmenTrades businesses wanting to scale without more stressCRM software for tradesmenAutomation systems for plumbing & heating companiesAI for trades businessesBoiler service reminder systemsLead follow-up automationCustomer review systemsTrades business coaching UKSales systems for trade businesses📲 Want to grow a proper business instead of just surviving week to week?Visit Off The Tools and learn how to build systems that actually scale. ⚒️ The trades industry is changing fast.The businesses embracing systems, automation, and modern customer communication will dominate the next 10 years. The rest will get left behind. 🔥 Inside This Episode:💥 Key Takeaway:🎯 Perfect For:🚀 Topics Covered:

    1hr 5min
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4.9
out of 5
70 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Off The Tools Podcast, where two of the UK's best trade business coaches, Wayne Bettess & Andrew Jones, deliver tons of free value week in week out to help trade business owners level up their business and more importantly themselves. Wayne Bettess & Andrew Jones are passionate entrepreneurs & trade business owners themselves who are committed to personal and professional development. on this channel, Wayne & Andy share their wisdom on mindset, self-development, and offer glimpses into how to create a life that is one of choice and freedom.

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