Hypotential Unlocking Business

Kane Tyler Smith
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Most trade businesses are not actually as profitable as they look. More vans, more staff, more revenue, and somehow less money left at the end of the month, less time, and a business that only runs because you are in it every day. Hypotential Unlocked is the podcast for residential trade business owners who are done with theory and want to know how the business actually gets fixed. Hosted by Kane Tyler Smith, who built Smartfix from one ute in a Perth garage to a $30.7M multi-trade business with 133 staff, and then faced the hardest moment of his career when the whole thing nearly came apart. Every episode is grounded in what actually happened inside a real business. Operator interviews with trade business owners sharing what worked and what broke. Kane breaking down lessons from real situations. No recycled business advice. No guru content. Just the kind of conversation you would have with someone who has been through it. If you are running a trade business and the numbers are not adding up the way they should, this is the show. Based in Perth, Western Australia. New episodes published weekly at hypotential.com

  1. 6d ago

    What Trade Businesses Can Learn From the Corporate World | Paul O’Neil

    What can trade businesses learn from the corporate world? Paul O’Neil took a very different route into the trades. After building his career in corporate leadership, including senior management roles with Optus, Paul moved into small business and is now a Director of Plumbing Bros West Coast. In this episode of Unlocking Business, we get into what he's brought across from corporate Australia, and what he's had to completely relearn. We talk about culture, leadership, staff retention, onboarding, hiring the right people, managing tradespeople, customer service and why Paul believes trade businesses need to put more emphasis on developing their people. We also get into the realities of running a business. Being everything to everyone, learning to set boundaries, building a leadership team, knowing when to stop chasing growth and trying to enjoy the journey while you're actually living it. Paul also shares how Plumbing Bros approaches property management clients, virtual assistants, after-hours service, AI, recruitment and developing future leaders internally. A practical conversation between two operators approaching the trade industry from very different backgrounds. Follow Kane: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kanetylersmith TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith Follow Hypotential: Website: https://www.hypotential.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hypotentialco Connect with Paul and Plumb Bros: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauljamesoneill/ Website: https://plumbingbros.com.au/

    What Trade Businesses Can Learn From the Corporate World | Paul O’Neil

  2. Sep 2

    Is Your Business Worth Anything Without You? | Dr. Mitch Catterall

    What is your business actually worth if you disappear tomorrow? In Episode 19 of Unlocking Business, I sit down with Dr. Mitch Catterall from Unveil Development Partners. Mitch works with owner-operated businesses to identify the gaps keeping them dependent on their founder — then build the people, systems and structures needed so the value sits inside the business, not inside the owner's head. This conversation gets particularly personal when Mitch explains why this work matters so much to him. His family ran a commercial fencing and security fencing business since he was nine years old. When his dad's health deteriorated, his knees blew out and he needed a double reconstruction, the family discovered the business they'd spent years building had very little value without him. An accountant told them it wasn't worth anything beyond the assets, and it was sold for little more than the price of the ute, despite $250k of contracted work in the pipeline. We talk about how business owners can avoid ending up in the same position. We also cover: The difference between getting bigger and actually growingWhy gut instinct isn't enough, and using data across finance, people, culture and leadershipDISC profiling and recruitment — running it before you hire, not afterWhy one bad hire can destroy a culture in a weekOwner dependency and business valuations (the 3x replacement model)Why every owner eventually exits their business, one way or anotherMitch's family business story and his "founding wound"Why systems don't need to be complicated or tied to softwareWhy being the best tradie doesn't create the best businessThe business education tradies and lawyers never receiveHire slow, fire fastWhy founder-led content matters — "multiplying the handshake"Nine followers, 178,000 viewsThe pressure and isolation of running a business, and why tradies should be proud of the industryWhy competitors should collaborate more A very relevant conversation for anyone who has built themselves a successful business — but is starting to realise they might also be the thing holding it together. Follow Kane: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kanetylersmith LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kanetylersmith Follow Hypotential: Website: https://www.hypotential.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hypotentialco Connect with Dr. Mitch Catterall: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmitch_unveil/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mitch.catterall/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-mitch-catterall-513000255/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drmitch_unveil YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrMitch_Unveil YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCBi3piXfxQz44srOrwykywg Website: https://unveildp.com/

    Is Your Business Worth Anything Without You? | Dr. Mitch Catterall

  3. Aug 27

    Starting a Plumbing Business and Building Systems That Last | Peter Craft from ASAP Trades

    In this episode, Kane sits down with Peter Craft, co-owner of ASAP Trades, a Perth plumbing business built around honest service, clear communication and doing the job right the first time. Peter was also one of the very first members to join Hypotential Foundations. Peter and Kane get into the real stuff: what they would do differently if starting again, why tracking your marketing spend properly changes everything, the challenge of finding tradies who can also sell, how to train a sales process without scaring off good installers, the role of weekly sales meetings and ride alongs, why callbacks handled well turn into your most loyal customers, what separates a good trades business from a great one, and the power of connecting with other business owners who have already been through what you are going through. If you run a trades business and want to hear an honest conversation about the messy middle of growing a small team, this one is worth your time. Follow Hypotential: Website: https://www.hypotential.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HypotentialCo Follow Kane: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneTylerSmithWA TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith Connect with Peter and ASAP Trades: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asaptradies/ Website: https://asaptrades.com.au/

    Starting a Plumbing Business and Building Systems That Last | Peter Craft from ASAP Trades

  4. Aug 20

    Building a Trade Business at 21 | Myles Gaebler from Perth Building Inspection Repairs

    In this episode, Kane sits down with Myles Gaebler, owner of Perth Building Inspection Repairs, for a refreshingly honest conversation about what it actually looks like to start a trade business at 21 with no plan and figure it out as you go. Myles started his business to earn more than a carpenter's wage while still having time to train for an Ironman. Less than a year in, he is booked out weeks in advance, turning away 40 grand worth of work a month, and navigating the real challenges of his industry: the need for a registered builder to sign off structural repairs, tight settlement deadlines, dodgy inspectors, cash flow risk and knowing when to grow versus when to stay lean. He and Kane also get into hiring tradies vs apprentices, using AI to build professional reports in minutes, CRM and job management software, social media for building trust as a young tradie, FIFO, fixed pricing, the cost of getting a Google lead, and what Myles would do differently if he started again today. Follow Hypotential: Website: https://www.hypotential.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HypotentialCo Follow Kane: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneTylerSmithWA TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith Connect with Myles and Perth Building Inspection Repairs: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perthbuildinginspectionrepairs/ Website: https://perthbuildinginspectionrepairs.com.au/

    Building a Trade Business at 21 | Myles Gaebler from Perth Building Inspection Repairs

  5. Aug 13

    Commercial Property and Smart Investing | Luke Randazzo from Burgess Rawson

    In this episode, Kane sits down with Luke Randazzo, Director at Burgess Rawson, one of WA's leading commercial real estate agencies. Luke has brokered over $450 million in transactions and is one of the youngest shareholders in the business. Luke and Kane get into the real stuff: what the new negative gearing and capital gains tax changes mean for investors, why commercial property is now wide open while residential has been shut down for investors, the difference between office, retail and industrial assets, how self-managed super funds can be used to buy commercial property, the risks of long term leases, make good clauses and fit out contributions, how to cold call your way to a deal, and why customer service and follow up are the real difference makers in any industry. They also swap stories about building businesses the hard way, why Australia is becoming increasingly difficult for entrepreneurs, and what Luke would do if he had $1 million to invest today. Follow Hypotential: Website: https://www.hypotential.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HypotentialCo Follow Kane: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneTylerSmithWA TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith Connect with Luke and Burgess Rawson: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-randazzo-77359b139/ Website: https://brwa.com.au/

    Commercial Property and Smart Investing | Luke Randazzo from Burgess Rawson

  6. Aug 6

    Marketing, Branding and What Actually Works for Trade Businesses | Aisha Derrick from Smartfix

    In this episode, Kane sits down with Aisha Derrick, Brand and Marketing Manager at Smartfix and co-owner of Hypotential, for a practical conversation about what actually works when it comes to marketing a residential trade business. Aisha has spent four years shaping Smartfix's branding, advertising and customer experience, and in this episode she breaks it all down for trades business owners at every stage. They cover the biggest mistakes small budget businesses make, why branding and advertising are not the same thing, how to stand out in a market where everyone says the same thing, the role of Google reviews and Google Business posts, how AI is changing content creation and why authenticity is becoming more valuable as a result, and the one piece of marketing advice every business owner should hear before they spend a cent. If you run a trades business and want to get smarter with your marketing without wasting time or money, this one is for you. Follow Hypotential: Website: https://www.hypotential.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HypotentialCo Follow Kane: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneTylerSmithWA TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith Connect with Smartfix: Website: https://teamsmartfix.com.au/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamsmartfix/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamSmartfixPty

    Marketing, Branding and What Actually Works for Trade Businesses | Aisha Derrick from Smartfix

  7. Jul 30

    Finance, Property Investment and Borrowing Smart as a Business Owner | Dan Steed from Fundd

    In this episode, Kane sits down with Dan Steed, a commercial and mortgage broker operating under Fundd, who spent over a decade in senior roles at Barclays and Lloyds in the UK before moving to Australia and becoming one of Western Australia's top performing bankers at Westpac. In the financial year ending 2026, Dan settled $552 million in new lending. Dan and Kane get into the real stuff: why you should never go direct to a bank, the difference between residential and commercial lending, how to use your home equity to grow a business, the self-managed super fund rule changes every investor needs to know about, why your books looking too lean can stop you from borrowing, how to get a business loan when you have no hard assets, and why a broker's job is not just to find the cheapest rate but the right one. They also swap stories about the hidden costs of running a business, payroll tax mistakes, long service leave, and what Dan would tell anyone thinking about investing half a million dollars today. If you own a business and have never spoken to a broker, this one might change that. Follow Hypotential: Website: https://www.hypotential.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HypotentialCo Follow Kane: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneTylerSmithWA TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith Connect with Dan and Fundd: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-steed-4b9aa076/ Website: https://fundd.com.au/

    Finance, Property Investment and Borrowing Smart as a Business Owner | Dan Steed from Fundd

  8. Jul 23

    Startups, Innovation and Turning an Idea Into a Real Business | Isabelle Charter

    In this episode, Kane sits down with Isabelle Charter, Head of Venture Studios at BetterLabs and CEO of Town Square, who has spent nearly two decades building, scaling and investing in startups across Australia and beyond. Isabelle previously built and exited Drip, Australia's first investing app for under 18s, and now leads BetterLabs, the strategic innovation arm of RAC, where she builds and funds new companies from concept to scale. She and Kane get into what it actually takes to turn an idea into a business, why most founders overbuild before validating, how to fail fast and move on, the AI tools changing how startups prototype and test, what a corporate venture studio looks like from the inside, and why saying no to the wrong clients is one of the most important things a growing business can do. They also swap stories about doing too much, losing focus and what brought them both back to their core. If you are thinking about starting something, or you are already in it and wondering why it feels so hard, this one is worth your time. Follow Hypotential: Website: https://www.hypotential.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HypotentialCo Follow Kane: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneTylerSmithWA TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith Connect with Isabelle: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelle-charter/

    Startups, Innovation and Turning an Idea Into a Real Business | Isabelle Charter
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About

Most trade businesses are not actually as profitable as they look. More vans, more staff, more revenue, and somehow less money left at the end of the month, less time, and a business that only runs because you are in it every day. Hypotential Unlocked is the podcast for residential trade business owners who are done with theory and want to know how the business actually gets fixed. Hosted by Kane Tyler Smith, who built Smartfix from one ute in a Perth garage to a $30.7M multi-trade business with 133 staff, and then faced the hardest moment of his career when the whole thing nearly came apart. Every episode is grounded in what actually happened inside a real business. Operator interviews with trade business owners sharing what worked and what broke. Kane breaking down lessons from real situations. No recycled business advice. No guru content. Just the kind of conversation you would have with someone who has been through it. If you are running a trade business and the numbers are not adding up the way they should, this is the show. Based in Perth, Western Australia. New episodes published weekly at hypotential.com

Information

  • Creator
    Kane Tyler Smith
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Kane Tyler Smith
  • Show Website
    Hypotential Unlocking Business