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I am a little bit of a hoarder of things, and this piece of paper has got my dear friend and coach Paul Henshaw's handwriting on it. There's a reason I've kept this piece of paper, but I didn't realise I had it with me down here at our Wentworth property.
This piece of paper literally saved Ladies with Tradies.
It's scratched upon, very simple, but it is one of the single most powerful pieces of paper for me in business, to be honest.
When Your Tradie Business Reaches Make-Or-Break Moment
If you've ever been in the position where your tradie business is struggling or you've gone through a situation where it's a bit of a make-or-break moment — I have. And it was a little bit over a year ago.
That make-or-break moment for me was: Close the doors or fight.
Fight for this thing that you've built. Fight for this thing that you love. Fight for this thing that is your DNA.
And this piece of paper? These are the figures that my mate Paul and I — my coach at the time (he's always my coach, he's never not my coach, he's my friend and mentor) — worked through together.
Why I Asked for Help (Even Though I'm a Business Coach)
I went to him because I was in a moment of "I don't know what to do right now and I need help."
I needed an outsider's perspective to help me decide whether this was something that could be turned around or something I needed to walk away from.
I needed help. And instead of just trying to get through it myself, I asked for it.
Two heads, three heads — at that time there were probably five, maybe even six heads looking at my business in that week to two weeks where I had to make a decision to close the doors or fight for this thing that I love so much.
And it was in that conversation, with this piece of paper, that I decided to fight.
That I decided it was possible to turn the situation I was in around. That it was possible for me to come back into this business that I love so much and just get it working again.
And we did it.
The Hard Decisions That Come With Turning Around a Struggling Tradie Business
I had to make some really hard decisions, but I was supported by people. We did the numbers. We scenario tested multiple options. This piece of paper is some of that scenario testing evidence.
I talked with the staff. I was honest. I was transparent.
And I literally came back to life that day.
When I had to fight again for the thing that I love so much — that I had never given up on, but I just didn't realise how important it was to me — it just highlights the power of having the right people on your side.
Because Paul is a problem solver. I've learned most of what I know from him, and I knew that he's an eternal optimist as well. There's always a way. And he'll back you in 110%.
I smiled at this piece of paper because that's what we do at Ladies with Tradies.
The People You Need in Your Corner When Your Business Is Struggling
The other thing about Paul? He would be honest with me if he thought there was no hope.
And those are the sorts of people that you need in your corner.
I think about that all the time. I had a conversation that I didn't want to have last week with a person who was calling Ladies with Tradies to possibly get some help. And this poor woman was in tears because she had already recognised and realiaed that there was no real turning around of their business.
And I just really had to agree with her.
Those are the people you need in your corner.
If your accountant is letting your tradie business disintegrate and you are not getting any real service from your accountant, then you need a new accountant.
If you don't have people that you can bounce your problems around with and ask the honest questions like:
- Is this worth even fighting for?
- Is it possible?
- Is it worth the deterioration in our relationship?
- Is it worth going through what I'm going through with staff?
You need people in your corner who are going to be honest with you but who are also going to take the time with you to understand: Is this worth the fight or not?
What Tradie Business Coaching Really Looks Like
That is one of my favorite — and the most favorite and least favorite — things that I enjoy about tradie business coaching.
Those initial conversations that I have with people when I look at their financials and I look at where they're at personally, mentally, in their relationships, physically — all of that.
We go through this kind of scenario. And I am watching you in those initial calls, and I am 100% making an assessment about the type of person I need to be for you, just like Paul was for me, and then whether or not the fight's worth the fight.
And I will always be honest about that because I have been so lucky to have that given to me through my coaches.
Paul absolutely has been there from the start. I've had the likes of Bruce Wilson, who's done incredible things with my mindset. I've had Paul Roach, Brett Rogers — all these people who have been there for me and who have whacked me around the head when the time is needed.
When to Close Your Business vs. When to Fight
So if you are looking at your financials, if you're looking at your bank account, if you're looking at the staff situation, if you're looking at how unwell you are getting, or you're just not sure — you need a Paul.
And that's what we do. We are the Pauls. We are the people that will sit with you, meet you where you are at, look at your financials.
I was so scared to have that conversation, I've got to be honest, where it was like: Am I fighting for this or am I closing the doors?
That is the reality of the situation here. I had to decide in October last year: Am I fighting for this or am I closing the doors?
And the beautiful thing that happened is I came back to life when I recognized that there was a risk that I was going to lose Ladies with Tradies.
Paul said it was like I just came back to life in front of his eyes because I couldn't let it go.
And many of you will be like this. You'll be like, "No, this thing is important to me. It means a lot to me. It's part of my DNA, it's part of who I am and how I am."
And that is a great thing.
What It Actually Takes to Turn a Struggling Business Around
Sometimes we just need that hope, don't we? Sometimes we need to be given the information in a logical way — whether that's through looking at the financial data or looking at what's possible for you and for your tradie business.
You get that hope. This piece of paper was my hope.
I changed my business model. I had to make redundancies.
I had to propose to my coaching team: "This is a new model that I need to implement. If you're on board, let's do this." It meant that they were financially better off. It also meant that one of my most experienced coaches decided to walk away and start her own thing. No worries.
And it was fucking hard.
Apart from the loss of my brother and loss of a partner, it's up there with one of the most horrific things that I've had to journey through. The mental toll of business struggles is real, and I'm still going through it.
But what I want you to know is: You need someone else outside of the two of you as a couple to be able to get to this point if the arse is out of your pants.
What I Do Differently Because of That Piece of Paper
I have lots of these versions of these pieces of paper from clients that we've worked with because I get the pen and paper out just like Paul did for me when I meet with you.
Yes, I show you your numbers digitally on the screen in our Tools4Profit application. But I do this first. I do this piece of paper for you first.
I read about your business and I do this — this piece of paper — for you first.
When I turn up for you on that screen and I'm looking at you and I'm thinking about who the best coach for you is, or whether or not it's time for you to consider some hard decisions about your business:
I have scrutinised your numbers. I've scrutinized what I know about your business. I've probably looked up your Facebook, your website, all that kind of thing, because I want to know you so that I can be the best version of the coach that you need when we do this together.
So I do this for everybody. I do this exact process just like Paul did for me that day.
I put it on paper. I go through it. Because I've been where you are.
I've Been at the Bottom in a Tradie Business Too
I've been at the bottom in business. Both mentally and financially. And it wasn't that long ago.
We're doing all right now because I got the fire back in my belly because of that piece of paper. Because I stood to lose it all and I refused to let that happen.
So if this is you, please stop just watching these videos that we put out.
I do not do the hard sell, but I promise you: If I'm worried about where you are at financially, emotionally, and in your marriage, I'll boot you in the arse with all of the love in the world.
I want everybody to have this opportunity like I got a bit over 12 months ago, because my life has changed profoundly because of people like Paul and Megs and the girls that are on the team now.
I am literally living my best life now because I decided to fight.
I fought for me. I fought for you. And that piece of paper, that fight, has been the most worthwhile fight of my life because Ladies with Tradies is in my DNA.
Your Version of This Fight
You guys are us, and we just want you to have what we have. Your version of that.
So let us be your Paul.
Let me do your numbers. Let me have a look at where you're at, because I couldn't be more grateful to be where we are now.
I wasn't expecting to cry today, but I love this business. And if you love yours and you want to keep doing it — but you want to do it your way and do it so that you are successful financially — then we're your people.
Frequently Asked Questions About Turning Around a Struggling Tradie Business
How do I know if my tradie business is worth saving?
You need an honest outside perspective — someone who will look at your financials, your relationship, your health, and tell you the truth. Not someone who just wants your money, but someone who will help you scenario test whether the fight is worth it. That's what tradie business coaching should provide: honesty first, strategy second.
What are the signs my tradie business is in trouble?
If you're looking at your bank account with dread, your staff situation is deteriorating, you're getting physically unwell, or your relationship is suffering — these are red flags. When you're too scared to look at your numbers or have honest conversations about the state of things, it's time to get help.
Should I close my tradie business or keep fighting?
This depends on two things: (1) Is it financially possible to turn around? And (2) Do you have the fire to fight for it? You need someone to help you run the numbers and scenario test options. Assessing business viability requires looking at more than just current cash flow — you need to see the full picture. Sometimes the honest answer is to close. Sometimes it's to fight. But you can't make that decision alone or just with your partner when you're in the thick of it.
What does it cost to turn around a struggling business?
The real cost is often hard decisions: changing your business model, making redundancies, getting top-heavy with too many staff or management too quickly. But the cost of NOT turning it around when it's possible? That's your DNA, your life's work, your marriage, and your health. The question isn't what it costs — it's what you stand to lose if you don't.
How long does it take to turn a tradie business around?
It depends on how deep the hole is and how willing you are to make hard decisions quickly. For Ladies with Tradies, the decision point was October last year, and within 12 months we went from nearly closing doors to thriving. But it required immediate action: new business model, redundancies, transparency with staff, and the right support.
What kind of support do I need when my tradie business is struggling?
You need someone who will be brutally honest with you, help you run the numbers, scenario test options, and support you through hard decisions. Not just cheerleading — actual strategic problem-solving. You need someone like Paul was for me: an eternal optimist who will back you 110%, but who will also tell you if there's no hope.
How do I know if a tradie business coach is right for me?
A good tradie business coach should scrutinize your numbers before you ever have a formal session. They should look at your financials, your business situation, your personal state. And they should be honest in that first conversation about whether the fight is worth it. If they're just trying to sell you without understanding where you're at, run.
Book a 'What To Fix First' Call
It doesn't cost you anything to have that first conversation.
Let me have a look at where you're at. Let me do your numbers. Let me be the person who sits with you, meets you where you are, and helps you figure out: Is this worth fighting for?
👉 Book your call 'What To Fix First' Call with us
I'll find out where you're at, and then we'll get in a session.
Let me know: Where are you at? What did you take from this?
Because if you love your tradie business and you want to keep doing it — but you want to do it your way and be successful financially — then we're your people. 💙
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