They had the revenue. They had the skills. What they didn’t have was control. Here’s how we helped them shift from “just surviving” to building a business that’s future-ready — and set to thrive for the next generation.
(Names have been changed for privacy.)
The Situation: Big Revenue, Bigger Chaos
The business was bringing in serious revenue — on track to hit $6.2 million this year. But despite that, they were burning through around $125,000 every single week. That kind of money going out the door wasn’t just concerning — it was a sign something was seriously off.
Here’s what we discovered:
- No clear invoicing system: jobs were quoted from memory and invoiced (eventually) using scribbled notes in a paper diary.
- High wages with little clarity on ROI: too many hands on deck, with unclear accountability.
- No cash flow tracking: they knew they were busy but couldn’t say how profitable each job was.
- $60,000 spent on a bathroom renovation at a personal investment property — a goal that was bleeding into business cash.
Our client, the co-owner and wife (let’s call her Sarah), knew something needed to change. Her husband (we’ll call him Mike) was flat out and frustrated. But he wasn’t one for spreadsheets or long-winded business advice.
First Conversations: Financial Health 101
When Sarah came to us, she wanted to learn more about how the business was running. She could feel that something wasn’t right but didn’t know where to start.
In our initial session, we:
- Broke down her financials into plain English.
- Showed her exactly where the money was going — from wages to equipment to unbilled hours.
- Identified that $1,000 to $1,500 per month was being left on the table because of quoting delays and undercharging.
The lightbulb went off: Sarah didn’t need a finance degree to understand her business. She needed the right support and the right numbers, simplified.
Meeting Mike Where He Was
Mike, like many tradies, was skeptical at first. He’d always believed in doing a good job and letting the rest sort itself out. But over time, that mindset had led to:
- Delayed quoting and invoicing
- High labour costs
- Rushed scheduling and burnout
We invited Mike into a follow-up session where we:
- Walked him through the numbers without fluff
- Showed how their current systems (or lack thereof) were costing them real money
- Talked tools, not theory — focusing on job management systems that would actually save him time
His response? “Why didn’t someone show me this earlier?”
Our Solution: Step-by-Step Systems
Once we had both Sarah and Mike on board, we rolled up our sleeves and started building the foundation they never had time for:
Cash Flow Clarity
We created a simple weekly cash flow tracker so they could finally see:
- What’s coming in
- What’s going out
- What’s actually left
Realistic Pricing
We reviewed their quoting methods and taught them how to:
- Calculate labour and materials properly
- Add margin (without feeling guilty)
- Set minimum job pricing to protect profits
Invoicing System
We transitioned Mike from diary-based invoicing to an easy-to-use job management system, making it quicker to:
- Send quotes
- Track jobs
- Invoice on the go
Admin Rhythm
We worked with Sarah to create:
- A weekly admin checklist
- Monthly financial check-ins with their accountant
- A workflow for monitoring debtors and job costs
Dealing With Resistance (And Getting Past It)
Every tradie wife knows that changing systems is one thing. Getting your partner to follow them? A whole other ball game.
We coached Sarah on how to:
- Introduce change without causing arguments
- Share insights with Mike in a way he’d hear it
- Ask the right questions when things went off track
And we made sure Mike felt supported, not judged. He could still be hands-on — just not flying blind anymore.
Building for the Next Generation
The biggest motivation? Their teenage son. He was already showing interest in joining the business, but Sarah didn’t want him stepping into a mess.
So, we helped them:
- Create a basic succession plan
- Start documenting how the business runs (instead of keeping it in their heads)
- Identify leadership and communication skills their son would need to develop
They didn’t just want a profitable business — they wanted one that could thrive without burning out the next generation.
The Results: Clarity, Confidence, Control
After just a few sessions, things started shifting:
- Admin chaos turned into structure.
- Mike started quoting smarter and faster.
- Sarah finally felt confident looking at their numbers.
- They had a real plan to pay off debt, save, and set up super.
And perhaps most importantly? They finally felt like they were working on the business, not just in it.
They also signed up for our one-on-one business coaching program so they could continue growing with support, strategy, and accountability.
Want Results Like These?
Whether you're running a $200K business or a $2 million one, the problems are often the same:
- No time to plan
- No systems
- No clarity around money
At Ladies With Tradies, we help couples like Sarah and Mike get their lives back, build profitable businesses, and create futures they're proud of.
Book a free 20-minute call to see where you're leaking profit: Book Now
