Built. Trusted. Chosen.

Wes Towers
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship

Featuring proven leaders and marketers in trades and construction Real, unscripted, unedited and raw lessons from trades and construction founders, leaders and marketers. We dig into growth, scaling, hiring, margins, and how to be built, trusted and chosen. 

  1. How Smart Trade and Construction Owners Build for Exit, Margin and Freedom | Stefan Kazakis

    Jun 9

    How Smart Trade and Construction Owners Build for Exit, Margin and Freedom | Stefan Kazakis

    Too many trades and construction businesses stay busy but never become truly valuable. They win work, carry the stress, manage every decision, and still end up with thin margins and a business that depends too heavily on the owner.  In this episode of Built. Trusted. Chosen., I sit down with Stefan Kazakis to unpack what it really takes to grow a trade or construction business beyond survival mode. We talk about pricing discipline, building an A-grade team, creating an org chart that supports scale, and why the smartest owners build with exit in mind long before they ever plan to sell. This is a practical conversation for leaders who want more margin, more freedom, and a business that can stand on its own.  You’ll take away: Why the skills that start a business are different from the skills needed to grow and scale it How reviewing the gap between what you quoted and what delivery actually costs can transform margin Why reliability, attention to detail, communication and integrity are the real foundations behind premium pricing How to grow leaders in your team without relying only on money or tenure Why loyalty does not automatically equal promotion, and how to avoid entitlement traps in leadership development How the right org chart, scorecards and roles create leverage and reduce founder dependency Stefan Kazakis is the founder of Business Benchmark Group, a Melbourne-based growth and succession advisory that works with founder-led trade and construction businesses. Business Benchmark Group helps owners reduce founder dependency, build long-term enterprise value, and prepare their businesses for growth, succession and eventual exit. Links: https://www.businessbenchmarkgroup.com.au/ https://au.linkedin.com/in/stefankazakis   I’m Wes Towers, founder of Uplift 360 and host of Built. Trusted. Chosen. I help trades and construction companies be built, trusted, and chosen online through high-performing websites and Search Everywhere Optimisation. https://uplift360.com.au/ Want to be a guest on Built. Trusted. Chosen.? Book here: https://uplift360.com.au/built-trusted-chosen-podcast-guest-booking/

    35 min
  2. From Referrals to Reliable Growth for Trades and Construction Businesses | Adrian Henry

    Jun 2

    From Referrals to Reliable Growth for Trades and Construction Businesses | Adrian Henry

    Trades and construction businesses don’t usually fail because the work isn’t good. They stall (or break) because the foundations underneath the work are shaky: cashflow, systems, and consistency. In this upcoming live conversation, I’m sitting down with Adrian Henry from Business Grower to unpack what actually helps contractors grow without overcommitting, burning out, or getting smashed by “surprise” tax bills. We’ll talk about the unsexy stuff that keeps a business stable, and the practical moves that help you look more trusted, stay front-of-mind with past clients, and scale in a way your team (and your personal life) can handle. You’ll take away: Why cashflow is the first trap for new tradies, and how GST/BAS catches people outHow to build a “solid foundation” so your business looks professional and trusted earlyWhy owner visibility builds trust faster than trying to look like a big companyHow process and accountability beat motivation when you’re flat outWhat growing really costs once you start hiring (beyond wages)Why a CRM and simple follow-up keeps you front-of-mind and fuels referralsGuest bio: Adrian Henry is a Geelong, Victoria-based business advisor and the founder of Business Grower, where he helps trades and construction businesses build stronger foundations across cashflow, systems, and practical growth habits. He’s worked across sales and business development roles in multiple industries and focuses on “keeping it real” for local business owners.   https://businessgrower.com.au/info@businessgrower.com.auHost bio: I’m Wes Towers, founder of Uplift 360 and host of Built. Trusted. Chosen. I help trades and construction companies be built, trusted, and chosen online through high-performing websites and Search Everywhere Optimisation. https://uplift360.com.au/ Want to be a guest on Built. Trusted. Chosen.? Book here: https://uplift360.com.au/built-trusted-chosen-podcast-guest-booking/

    38 min
  3. Why “My Way or the Highway” Fails in Construction | Trevor Blondeel

    May 26

    Why “My Way or the Highway” Fails in Construction | Trevor Blondeel

    Running a trades or construction business is hard enough without disengaged crews, missed expectations, and constant frustration on site. In this episode of “Built. Trusted. Chosen.”, I sit down with executive coach Trevor Blondeel to unpack why leadership breakdowns happen in trades and construction, and how small shifts in communication, expectations, and accountability can completely change the way teams show up. This conversation is all about practical leadership. We talk about how leaders unintentionally disrupt productivity, why culture never improves as you scale, and what it actually takes to build trust across crews, supervisors, and management. You’ll take away: Why leaders talking too much can cost productivity on siteHow culture reflects leadership behaviour, not posters or valuesA simple framework for setting expectations crews actually ownHow accountability builds trust when it’s done in the right orderWhy behaviour problems often hide deeper personal strugglesGuest bio: Trevor Blondeel is an executive coach who spent years running manufacturing plants and now works with owners and leaders across construction, logistics, and manufacturing. He helps leaders improve communication, strengthen accountability, and build cultures people actually want to be part of. https://www.trevorblondeel.com/ https://manufacturinggreatness.com/ Host bio: I’m Wes Towers, founder of Uplift 360 and host of Built. Trusted. Chosen. I help trades and construction companies be built, trusted, and chosen online through high-performing websites and Search Everywhere Optimisation. https://uplift360.com.au/ Want to be a guest on Built. Trusted. Chosen.? Book here: https://uplift360.com.au/built-trusted-chosen-podcast-guest-booking/

    36 min
  4. The Tax Depreciation Playbook for Property-Focused Trades and Construction Leaders | Jarrel Dugay

    May 19

    The Tax Depreciation Playbook for Property-Focused Trades and Construction Leaders | Jarrel Dugay

    Trades and construction businesses often help create value in investment properties, but many owners and project teams do not fully understand how that value can flow through into tax deductions and cash flow. That gap can mean missed opportunities, weaker pitches, and less confidence when talking to property investors. In this episode, I sat down with Jarrel Dugay from Duo Tax to unpack how tax depreciation really works in the real world. We discussed why new builds usually have stronger depreciation potential, why older properties can still hold hidden value, how renovations by previous owners may still matter, and why getting the right expert involved can protect both cash flow and compliance. It’s a practical conversation for trades, builders, renovators and construction leaders who want to better understand the financial lens many property investors bring to a project. You’ll take away Why new builds usually open up more depreciation opportunities than older properties Why older properties are not automatically “fully depreciated” if renovations have been done The key difference between second-hand plant and equipment versus structural improvements to the property How replacing items like an air conditioner can change what is claimable going forward Why a depreciation schedule can improve cash flow and help offset the pain of negative gearing Why compliance matters just as much as maximising deductions Guest bio Jarrel Dugay is part of the team at Duo Tax, an Australian firm specialising in tax depreciation schedules for property investors, along with property valuation services for tax-related purposes. Duo Tax services clients across Australia and works across residential, commercial and specialised property types. Guest links: Duo Tax: https://duotax.com.au/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarrel-dugay/ Host bio I’m Wes Towers, founder of Uplift 360 and host of Built. Trusted. Chosen. I help trades and construction companies be built, trusted, and chosen online through high-performing websites and Search Everywhere Optimisation. https://uplift360.com.au/  Want to be a guest on Built. Trusted. Chosen.? Book here: https://uplift360.com.au/built-trusted-chosen-podcast-guest-booking/

    36 min
  5. Why “Energy Efficient” Homes Still Make People Sick (and How to Fix It) | Craig Leonard

    May 19

    Why “Energy Efficient” Homes Still Make People Sick (and How to Fix It) | Craig Leonard

    Most homes pass inspection. Very few are built for health. In this episode of Built. Trusted. Chosen., I sit down with Craig Leonard, a third-generation builder who completely rethought his approach to construction after mould contamination in his own home made his family seriously ill. What he discovered will challenge how you think about energy efficiency, ventilation and modern building standards. Craig explains why tightly sealed homes, constant temperature control and poorly managed moisture are creating internal ecosystems that support mould growth. We unpack HVAC placement, condensation risks, window failures, shower waterproofing mistakes and what it really costs to build a home that protects the people living inside it. You’ll take away: Why modern “energy efficient” homes can trap moisture and create mould riskHow HVAC systems in unconditioned attics become mould distribution networksWhy mould can grow at 55% relative humidity even when it doesn’t feel humidPractical retrofit strategies like conditioned attics and duct reviewWhy healthy construction typically adds just 3–5% to build costHow positioning around health creates a powerful niche in constructionAbout Craig Leonard Craig Leonard is the owner of Leonard Crafted Homes, a Texas-based luxury custom home builder specialising in high-performance, health-focused residential construction. After losing his own home to mould contamination, Craig became a building biologist and now integrates advanced ventilation, moisture management and conditioning systems into every home he builds. Learn more: https://leonardcraftedhomes.com About Wes Towers Wes Towers is the host of Built. Trusted. Chosen. and founder of Uplift 360. He helps trades and construction companies be built, trusted, and chosen online through high-performing websites and Search Everywhere Optimisation. Learn more: https://uplift360.com.au/ Want to be a guest on Built. Trusted. Chosen.? Book here: https://uplift360.com.au/built-trusted-chosen-podcast-guest-booking/

    36 min
  6. The Exit-Ready Blueprint for Trades & Construction | Anita Marshall

    May 12

    The Exit-Ready Blueprint for Trades & Construction | Anita Marshall

    If you run a trades or construction business, it’s easy to wake up one day and realise the business cannot run, or sell, without you. In this conversation, I’m joined by Anita Marshall from Gold Coast Business Brokers, and we unpack what actually makes a trades business attractive to buyers (and more resilient for you as the owner). Even if you never plan to sell, building with an exit in mind forces better foundations: cleaner financials, clearer systems, and a database you can actually hand over. You’ll take away: Why building an exit-ready business gives you options, even if you hand it to familyHow cash jobs (“cashies”) can hurt valuation when revenue cannot be proven over 3–4 yearsSimple systems you can document now (quoting, lead sources, workflows) to make handover easierWhy every enquiry belongs in a database, even the ones who did not proceedHow referral partner lists (agents, strata, etc.) become a real sale asset with a warm handoverWhy less owner dependence typically leads to a higher multiple and a smoother sale Anita Marshall is a business broker with Gold Coast Business Brokers, helping owners prepare, position, and sell businesses with confidentiality and a clear process. She works with business owners across Queensland and supports the kind of practical “get it ready before you need it” approach we discuss in this episode. Guest links: https://goldcoastbusinessbrokers.com.au/ https://www.facebook.com/anitamarshallbusinessbroker/ https://au.linkedin.com/in/anita-marshall-businessbroker  I’m Wes Towers, founder of Uplift 360. I help trades and construction companies be built, trusted, and chosen online through high-performing websites and Search Everywhere Optimisation. https://uplift360.com.au/ Want to be a guest on Built. Trusted. Chosen.? Book here: https://uplift360.com.au/built-trusted-chosen-podcast-guest-booking/

    38 min
  7. The Demographic Forces Reshaping Trades and Construction in Australia | Simon Küstenmacher

    May 5

    The Demographic Forces Reshaping Trades and Construction in Australia | Simon Küstenmacher

    Trades and construction businesses are getting hit from every angle: rising costs, hiring pressure, housing shortages and constant negative headlines. The danger is making short-term decisions based on panic instead of seeing the bigger forces shaping where demand, people and projects are actually heading. In this episode, I sit down with Simon Küstenmacher to unpack the demographic and economic trends shaping the future of trades and construction in Australia. We get into why Australia’s core business model is still stronger than many people think, why population growth keeps demand alive, why the skills shortage is not going away anytime soon, and why regional areas face a very different hiring and housing challenge to the major cities. You’ll take away: Why Simon believes Australia’s underlying economic model is still resilient despite negative headlines How population growth acts like a rising tide for construction demand Why the skills shortage is demographic, structural and unlikely to disappear quickly What is broken in the current migration system and how it could be better aligned to real workforce needs Why regional areas struggle more to attract skilled workers than capital cities How migrant settlement patterns can influence where housing demand and construction pressure show up Guest bio:  Simon Küstenmacher is Co-Founder & Director at The Demographics Group in Melbourne, Australia. He presents on demographic trends, consumer insights and social change, and works with business, government and industry groups across Australia.  Website: https://www.tdgp.com.au/simon-kuestenmacher LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/simonkuestenmacher  Host bio:  I’m Wes Towers, founder of Uplift 360 and host of Built. Trusted. Chosen. I help trades and construction companies be built, trusted, and chosen online through high-performing websites and Search Everywhere Optimisation. https://uplift360.com.au/ Want to be a guest on Built. Trusted. Chosen.? Book here: https://uplift360.com.au/built-trusted-chosen-podcast-guest-booking/

    45 min
  8. From Chaos to Order: Delegate Admin, Win More Work | Janine Fraser

    Apr 28

    From Chaos to Order: Delegate Admin, Win More Work | Janine Fraser

    Most trades and construction businesses don’t struggle because the work isn’t good. They struggle because the day gets swallowed by calls, admin, quoting, follow-ups, and the never-ending “I’ll get to that later” list, and the business pays for it in missed opportunities, slow response times, and trust gaps. In this episode, I sit down with Janine Fraser to unpack the real operational bottlenecks that hold contractors back and what it looks like to bring order to the chaos. We talk delegation (without feeling like you’re “giving away your baby”), onshore vs offshore support, the role of automation, and why customer communication is the quickest trust-builder in the trades. You’ll take away:  What to delegate first when you’re time-poor and wearing every hatHow to think about onshore vs offshore support based on task, urgency, and contextWhy trust is built (or broken) in small moments like running late, follow-ups, and response speedHow job management platforms can automate quotes and texts, and why most tradies don’t finish the setupWhy paper-based workflows and double-handling quietly block growth and create errorsA practical supplier check that can lift margins without finding new workGuest: Janine Fraser Janine is the founder of Beyond Business Consultants, supporting business owners with managed calls, customer service, delegation, and system workflows. She also offers fractional executive assistant support, helping founders bring structure, follow-through, and calm to the operational side of the business. https://beyondbusinessconsultants.com.au/ https://au.linkedin.com/in/janine-fraser-fractional-executive-assistant-growth-partner-ab6940104 Host: Wes Towers I help trades and construction companies be found, trusted, and chosen online through high-performing websites and Search Everywhere Optimisation. That means turning your website into a genuine business asset, sharpening your messaging so the right clients say “yes”, and building consistent visibility across Google, reviews, social platforms, and everywhere people search before they pick up the phone. If you’re serious about growth, this show is about the real levers that move the needle: marketing, systems, leadership, and the small trust signals that win work. https://uplift360.com.au Want to be a guest on Built. Trusted. Chosen.? Book here: https://uplift360.com.au/built-trusted-chosen-podcast-guest-booking/

    37 min
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About

Featuring proven leaders and marketers in trades and construction Real, unscripted, unedited and raw lessons from trades and construction founders, leaders and marketers. We dig into growth, scaling, hiring, margins, and how to be built, trusted and chosen. 

Information

  • Creator
    Wes Towers
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Uplift 360
  • Show Website
    Built. Trusted. Chosen.