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. 1d ago

    #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

  2. May 27

    #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

  3. May 20

    #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

  4. May 13

    #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:

    1h 5m

  5. May 6

    #25 Tradesmen Business Coaching: What To Do When Your Trade Business Goes Quiet (Summer Survival Strategy)

    If your phone’s stopped ringing… this is the episode you need. In this no-nonsense episode of the Off The Tools Podcast, we break down exactly what tradesmen should be doing when business goes quiet — especially during the summer slowdown. Most trades business owners panic, sit back, or accept “it is what it is.”That mindset is exactly why they stay stuck. This episode flips that on its head. We cover real, practical business coaching for tradesmen, including: Why your trade business REALLY goes quiet (and it’s not just the season)How to use slow periods to build a stronger, more profitable businessThe biggest mistakes tradesmen make when work drops offWhy the “old ways” of running a trades business no longer workHow to build systems, structure, and recurring revenue (like service plans)The importance of strategy, time management, and money controlWhy most tradesmen avoid risk — and how that’s holding them backHow to create purpose in your business to avoid burnout and stagnationThis is real-world trades business coaching, based on what’s actually working right now in UK trade businesses — not theory, not fluff. 💥 Key Takeaway:Quiet periods don’t kill businesses…Doing NOTHING during them does. 🎯 Perfect for: Plumbers, heating engineers, electricians & trades business ownersAnyone experiencing a drop in work or seasonal slowdownTradesmen looking for business coaching that actually worksBusiness owners wanting more structure, profit, and control📲 Want to stop relying on luck and start running a proper business?Go to Off The Tools and take control. 🔑 If you’re serious about growth:Use the quiet season to build…Or stay stuck repeating the same cycle every year.

    29 min

  6. Apr 29

    #24 - Tradesmen Business Coaching: Why Most Trades Businesses Hit the Wall (And How to Break Through It)

    In this episode of the Off The Tools Podcast, we dive deep into the reality of building and scaling a trades business — and why so many tradesmen hit a wall in business, mindset, and growth. This isn’t theory. This is real-world business coaching for tradesmen, pulled straight from lived experience — from running heating companies to coaching hundreds of UK trades business owners. We break down: Why trades businesses get stuck despite being “busy”The truth about mindset in the trades industry (and why it holds most people back)How to build resilience, grit, and discipline as a business ownerThe importance of community and surrounding yourself with the right peopleLessons from extreme challenges (like running a marathon) and how they directly apply to business growthWhy most tradesmen stay in the 99%… and how to move into the top 1%Real insights from trades business coaching that actually works in the fieldIf you’re a plumber, heating engineer, electrician, or trades business owner who wants more time, profit, and control, this episode will hit home. 👉 Whether you're struggling with growth, mindset, staff, or direction — this is the kind of no-fluff business coaching for tradesmen that gets results. 💥 Key Takeaway:You WILL hit the wall in business.The difference is whether you stop… or push through it. 🎯 Perfect for: Tradesmen looking for business coachingHeating engineers, plumbers, electricians growing their businessUK trades business owners stuck in the day-to-dayAnyone wanting to move from “on the tools” to running a real business📲 Want help building your trades business properly?Start here 👉 Off The Tools

    39 min

  7. Apr 22

    #23 Flat Out Busy… Still Broke? Here’s Why

    You’re grafting every day.Diary’s full. Phone’s ringing. Jobs stacked up… But when you check the bank account?👉 There’s nothing in it. Sound familiar? In this episode, we break down one of the most common problems in the trades right now — being busy but still broke — and why it’s happening to so many lads across the UK. We cover: Why underpricing is killing your profit (and how it starts)The real reason your numbers don’t workHow poor structure and lack of systems are draining your time and moneyWhy taking the wrong jobs is keeping you stuckThe truth about “going rates” (and why they’re wrong)How small inefficiencies are costing you thousands over the yearThis isn’t about working harder…It’s about fixing what’s broken behind the scenes. Because the reality is — most tradesmen aren’t short of work…They’re short of structure, pricing, and control. 📲 Want help fixing it?Reach out, grab the pricing calculator, or book a call — no fluff, just straight answers.

    26 min

  8. Apr 15

    #22 You Don’t Need More Leads… You’re Just Wasting the Ones You’ve Got

    Everyone’s shouting the same thing…👉 “I need more leads.” But here’s the truth most tradesmen don’t want to hear…You don’t have a lead problem — you’ve got a systems, speed, and customer experience problem. In this episode, we break down why throwing more money at lead generation is actually making things worse for most businesses… and what you should be fixing instead. We cover: Why most tradesmen can’t handle more leads anywayThe real reason jobs aren’t convertingHow poor first impressions are killing your businessWhy answering the phone properly matters more than marketingThe power of speed, quoting systems, and customer journeyWhy consistency beats skill in today’s marketIf you’re missing calls, slow to quote, or still doing everything manually… you’re not losing work because of leads — you’re losing it because of how your business runs. This is the shift most tradesmen refuse to make…And it’s exactly why they stay stuck. 📲 Want to fix your systems and actually grow properly?Reach out, get involved, and start building a business that converts — not just one that stays busy.

    39 min
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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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