A Fencers Life- Lessons from the Trenches
by Simon Davis
Small bite size lessons from Simon Davis - Fencing Business owner , installer, contractor- Business builder, entrepreneur. Simon shares lessons from the trenches on how he built a fencing business - endured the pain & suffering of loss & built a new fencing business model better than ever, all whilst on the tools , on the ground & in the office .Some are life lessons- some are practical , logical steps every fencer needs to know about , both on the front end of business and in the installation phase and the back end of business.
Episodes
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Episode 54: Why You're Underpriced
Most fencing operators don’t have a competition problem. They have a pricing problem. In this episode, Simon Davis explains why fear, poor pricing decisions, and targeting the wrong clients can keep fencing businesses busy without making them profitable. You’ll learn how to: • Stop comparing your...
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Episode 53: The Three Money Buckets. The Numbers Worth Gold
Most fencing contractors think they're pricing jobs correctly. Materials, labour, add a bit for overheads, then send the quote. The problem is that this approach leaves money on the table. In this episode, Simon Davis breaks down the three money buckets that every profitable fencing business must...
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Episode 52 : The Wake Up Call
Most fencing business owners measure success by turnover. Bigger jobs. More crews. A full schedule. But what if you're working harder than ever and still not taking home the income you expected? In this episode of Fencer's Life Lessons from the Trenches, Simon Davis shares the reality many...
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Episode 51: Eight Cylinders Drive the Business
Maximize Your Fencing Business: The Eight Cylinders for Growth and ProfitabilityIn this episode, Simon Davis from The Profitable Fencer breaks down the eight critical areas—cylinders—that must work in harmony to build a scalable, profitable fencing business. Learn how misfires in any of these…
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2025: A Year of Lessons and Growth
In this episode, Simon Davis reflects on the tumultuous year of 2025, sharing both the challenges and lessons learned in his fencing business. He discusses the tight cash flow, compliance issues, and personal health struggles that impacted his ability to create content and manage his business...
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Episode 49: Back From The Brink - A year of Challenges
In this episode, Simon Davis reflects on the challenges faced over the past year, including significant drops in turnover due to severe weather conditions in Australia. He discusses the strategies he implemented to adapt to these challenges, such as increasing prices, diversifying services, and...
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Episode 48: Relaunching After Burnout
In this episode, Simon Davis discusses the challenges of overcoming burnout and rebuilding momentum in both personal and professional life. He shares his experiences with managing stress, financial pressures, and the importance of creating effective systems and routines to alleviate the burden of...
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Fence Benchmarking Ad On
The importance of benchmarks in trades like fencing – and how to use them to measure, manage, and grow your business.In this episode, Simon Davis breaks down why benchmarking is one of the most underutilized but powerful tools for trade businesses. From spotting red flags in your numbers to...
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Episode 47 : The Importance of benchmarking for businesses
In this episode, Simon Davis discusses the importance of benchmarking for businesses, particularly in the fencing industry. He explains how industry benchmarks can help business owners assess their performance, identify areas for improvement, and make informed decisions. Simon shares insights on...
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Episode 46: Fencing Industry Australia 2024 Catch-up and Recap
In this episode, Simon Davis reflects on the recent fencing conference and awards held in Australia, highlighting the importance of industry recognition, innovation, and the future of fencing. He discusses the achievements of his team, the significance of networking, and the need for…
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Episode 45: Importance of Refelection
n this episode, Simon Davis reflects on his nearly 30-year journey in the fencing industry, emphasizing the importance of reflection for personal growth and mental health. He shares his early experiences as a subcontractor, the challenges he faced, and the lessons learned along the way. Simon…
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Episode 44: Busted! Myths About Running a Fence Business
In this episode, Simon Davis discusses the common myths surrounding the fencing business, emphasizing that fencing is a skilled trade that requires more than just physical labor. He highlights the importance of business acumen, proper pricing strategies, and the need for good workers. Simon also...
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Episode 43: Why Every Fencing Business Needs an Email List: Building Relationships and Securing Your Future
In this episode, Simon Davis emphasizes the critical importance of building an email list for small business owners, particularly in the fencing industry. He discusses the risks associated with neglecting list building, including missed opportunities and reliance on unstable platforms. Simon...
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Episode 42: Welcome to 2025 - New Year of Growth
In this episode of A Fencer's Life, Simon Davis reflects on the past year and sets the stage for 2025. He emphasizes the importance of growth, resilience, and discipline in both fencing and life. The podcast aims to share real stories from industry professionals, explore practical lessons, and...
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Episode 41: Raising Prices Mindset?
In this podcast episode, Simon Davis discusses the challenges of raising prices in the fencing industry, emphasizing the detrimental effects of competing solely on price. He advocates for collaboration over competition, the importance of creating value, and the need for a mindset shift to…
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Episode 40: Mastering the Hiring Process - 10 Step Guide to Finding & Retaining Good Hires
In this conversation, Simon shares his 10-step guide to mastering the hiring process. He emphasizes the importance of defining your needs, crafting a compelling job ad, choosing the right platforms to advertise on, screening resumes, conducting interviews, checking references, and making a...
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Episode 39 : Focus Brings Results
In todays episode ( better late than never) I want to highlight what's been happening in my world & what ive been focusing on. Some people focus on customer satisfaction & some on safety & some on leads & some on team building & so on & so forth. Now all that comes into running a business & is...
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Episode 38: Using a Coach/Mentor, Is it actually worth it?🤔
Summary In this conversation, Simon discusses the importance of fast-tracking your business and the benefits of using someone outside of your business to coach or mentor you. He shares his own experiences of struggling with cash flow and growing his business without proper systems in place. Simon...
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Episode 37: VOC - What is it & Why do we need it in 2024
In this conversation, Simon Davis interviews Vince Carige, a trainer and assessor in the agricultural industry. They discuss the importance of staying current and compliant in training and certification, particularly in relation to work health and safety. They emphasize the need for small...
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Episode 36: Guest appearance on USA podcast for Fencers
Simon Davis, owner of North Coast Fencing and The Profitable Fencer, shares his journey in the fencing industry and his experience in coaching other fence businesses. He emphasizes the importance of having a big vision and a plan to achieve it, rather than just working hard without direction.…
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Episode 35: Interlude to whats coming up
Simon shares his excitement about being a guest on a podcast and highlights the importance of focusing on the little things. He talks about the positive things happening in his fencing business and how he has been able to elevate his role. Simon also announces the amalgamation of his building...
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Top 10 Pain Points of a Fencing Business if you don't pay attention 🤠
In this episode, Simon discusses the top 10 pain points of the fencing business. These pain points include competition, customer acquisition costs, pricing, labor shortages, material costs, weather, permits and regulations, insurance, liability, and taxes. Simon provides strategies for addressing...
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Profit First My story with Katie
This time round I got to be the guest & Katie from Profit First did the hosting - Come listen to my story & how Katie & Profit First is changing the scope of how we not only make money but retain it for ourselves
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Gate Task Force Part 2
Summary This conversation discusses the opportunities and challenges in the fencing industry, particularly in relation to gate automation. The importance of safety measures and education for customers and installers is emphasized. The need for standardized guidelines, training, and qualifications...
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Gate Task Force Part 1
In this conversation, Simon Davis interviews Adrian Pretzel, the visionary mind behind ideal fencing and gates. They discuss the GATE Task Force, a transformative initiative shaping the Australian fencing industry. Adrian shares his inspiration for forming the task force, which stemmed from the...
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Processes vs Policies - Do we even need them ?
In this episode, Simon discusses the importance of procedures and policies in a business. He emphasizes the need for job descriptions and outlines key tasks for different roles. Simon also highlights the responsibilities and criteria for hiring, including the importance of skills, knowledge, and...
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When it all turns to Crap
Summary In this episode, Simon shares a personal story about training his dog and relates it to challenges in business. He discusses the chaos that can occur when things go wrong and emphasizes the importance of resilience and tenacity. Simon provides strategies for finding work and leading a…
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New Year New Challenges 2024 Episode 1 season 2
In this episode, Simon recaps the challenges he faced in the previous year and expresses his excitement for the upcoming year. He emphasizes the importance of future planning and generating leads for sustained success. Simon discusses the limitations of relying solely on word-of-mouth marketing…
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Episode 28 Fast Tracking Your Business
How do you fast track your business when you feel so overwhelmed? This episode explains how i managed to do it & the mistakes I made on the way . Need help in your fencing business - Give me a call or visit www..theprofitablefencer.com for a free 10 min chat
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Episode 27 Digging through septic pipes
Well i suppose we have all done this before but here is a story of how I flooded a main street in NSW by busting through a major septic charged flow pipe
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Episode 26 October update
Its been over a month since the last podcast so here is a quick update of what has been happening in my fencing life
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Episode 25 - Terms of Trade with Terry
Ok we all no someone who has been burnt by someone not paying their invoices . This can be a very frustrating and upsetting experience for everyone involved, so what can we do to ensure that this doesn't happen? Well, one of the best ways to protect yourself from non-payment is to make sure you...
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Episode 24 Part 2 retaining good hires
tips on how to retain good hires
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Episode 24 Part 1 How to Hire & retain the best recruits
Finding recruits is tough in todays society, especially for a physically demanding job & wading through who's right & wrong can be tough as well, but also retaining them is half the job . It's important to remember that you need to build a culture of excellence & respect, provide clear roles &...
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Episode 23 Thinking Outside The Box
Doing the day to day grind of setting & finishing fences doesnt leave you much room or time to start to progress your business into the next level. Lets face it , if your on the coal front 8-10 hrs each & every day then your brain is probably fried by the time you get home & then you have to…
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Episode 22 - How AI - chatgpt helped me land my next big Fish!
Technology, got to love it & sometimes you want to pull your hair out because of it , but either way it's here to stay. AI is the next big thing in my opinion since the Internet came out & it keeps growing fast. Just like the internet , we all thought it wouldn't take off- well Artifical...
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Shawn King Part 2
Talking Fence products & fence technique with Shawn King & how to start thinking about the next gen fencing techniques ( after some technical issues)
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Episode 21 Part 1 With Shawn King
Podcast today with Shawn King, one of USA's spokesman for everything fencing. Innovator , designer & all round fence enthusiast comes on the show to talk fencing techniques & just generally have a catch up on all things happening in our industry both here in Australia & also overseas in the US....
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6 Week Challenge
New 6 Week Challenge coming soon 10th July
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Episode 20 - The importance of Dial before you Dig
Everytime we go away from our normal processes & procedures something astray happens. Listen to my accounts of years & recent instances that have happened
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Episode 19 Making Mistakes Part 2
Technical issues Heres the last bits
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Episode 19 How to Manage Mistakes
What to do before you make mistakes & some of the lessons I have learnt
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Episode 18 Opportunity Bus
Not all opportunites that you may come across are specifically advantageous for you but never fear the buses just keep on coming . Always remember to take a step back and look if the ride is worth it before getting on board. Remember, you are in control of your own success! Follow your gut and...
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Episode 17 Misery Loves Company
its damn hard to get back in the saddle when you get knocked over time & time again, but thats what makes us resilient & tough & its character building - so they tell me
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Where to find New Hires for your Fencing business - Episode 16
Plenty of work & no one to fulfill your commitments - You may want to try some of these methods to attract new blood to your fencing business
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Why & How I charge for quotes Episode 15
Why do I charge for quotes when everyone else doesnt do this! Discover How I go about my methodology & put it into practice
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Episode 14 - Working with Treated Pine
Everybody who knows about pine fences understand that pine twists & warps when it dries out --- So how then do we build top notch fences & keep them straight - I ll tell you & show you how in this episode
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The Ultimate Price Episode 13
What happens when you run your business on emotion, ego & don't know your numbers intimately- you burn out, you lose money & make bad decisions. I learnt that the hard way-
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Episode 12 - Fear Mongering - HUH 😯
Been called a lot of things in my time as a fencer but this one takes the cake- Sometimes you try & help people & they just cant see it , can't appreciate it. But that's okay, because thats not my job- I just need to stay sharp keep getting better at my craft! I'm sure there will be plenty of...
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Episode 11 The 4 P's of a Fencing Business
You have to get a handle on many htings in your fencing business - Cost Drivers & Profit Drivers You either save money or spend money These are some steps on how i utilise the Profit first system in my own business
About this show
Small bite size lessons from Simon Davis - Fencing Business owner , installer, contractor- Business builder, entrepreneur. Simon shares lessons from the trenches on how he built a fencing business - endured the pain & suffering of loss & built a new fencing business model better than ever, all whilst on the tools , on the ground & in the office .Some are life lessons- some are practical , logical steps every fencer needs to know about , both on the front end of business and in the installation phase and the back end of business.
Hosted by
Simon Davis
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