Trowel Talk - Plasterer business blueprint

Labourer to Business Owner | My Step-by-Step Journey | Chris Frediani & Stu RobertsWhat does it really take to go from carrying buckets on site to building a successful business?In this episode of The Plastering Show on Fix Radio, Chris Frediani sits down with Stu Roberts, founder of Trowel Talk, to discuss the highs, lows, mistakes, and lessons from his journey through the plastering trade.Stu shares how he went from working as a labourer to running a business, the challenges he faced along the way, and the mindset shifts that helped him grow both personally and professionally.In this episode, we cover:How Stu got started as a labourer and built his career in plasteringHis favourite aspects of being on the toolsThe biggest mistakes he made in business (and what he'd do differently)The wins that changed everythingWork-life balance in the trades and the common traps that keep tradespeople stuckHow to stop your business running your lifeThe Trowel Talk coaching programme and community, where Stu helps tradespeople automate their businesses, build better systems, and get their time backWhether you're just starting out in the trade, running your own business, or looking to take the next step, this episode is packed with honest advice, practical lessons, and plenty of relatable stories from life in the construction industry.🎧 Listen now and discover what's possible when you stop just working in your business and start working on it.Learn more by heading to Trowel Talk

It's great being busy it shows your business is working and people value your products and services but the other side of the coin is total burn out and overwhelm from continuous phone calls and messages.. If we don't have an On & OFF switch in our businesss our mental health can decline and our business can consume every waking hour!Access the full 2 hour sales, marketing & business training session here by subscribing to the Tribe coaching program for self employed tradespeople. £1 per day No contract No B.S. Just results.

I'm sharing with you 20 minutes of action steps you take today to drastically improve your conversions and win better jobs in your trades business.Taken from a 2hour live coaching session inside the tribe this short but powerful audio session will give you practical and real world tools to help you understand the anxieties and fears your customers have around hiring tradespeople and what we can do to set ourselves apart and win more business.Access the full session by subscribing to my coaching program Join my free community hereLearn more here

This refresher episode clip was taken from a live video inside the Tribe where I spoke directly to my new members who are working with their father's but want to make the Jump from working for builders all the time to building a profitable domestic plastering business I explain the hold - backs when working for builders and give you a step by step strategy for making the changes and building your own domestic plastering business 🎯 Join my free community group on Facebook 🎯 Join my affordable group coaching program 🎯 Purchase my online video training course to learn about damp + insulation in older buildings or,email me:[email protected] Thanks for listening 👍

In this full coaching session for self-employed plasterers, we tackle the “busy but broke” trap.Too many spreads stay flat-out for years — fully booked, working nonstop — yet still struggle to get ahead financially. It’s no longer a lack of work — it’s a lack of profit, structure, and strategy.We break down why it happen and how to build a clear plan to finally move forward.If you found this guide helpful consider joining my free community here Learn about CRM systems hereSelf employed? considering going self employed? Join my powerful low cost coaching group hereHave a question? email me here

Tax is going digital and sole traders have to make big changes.In this no-nonsense 'Make Tax Digital' guide for sole traders, Plasterers and tradespeople we break down MTD for the man on the tools and for the self-employed who have no time for waffle.— We'll tell you what you need to do and when you need to do it without drowning in spreadsheets or software confusion.If you found this guide helpful consider joining my free community here Access the HMRC full guide hereLearn about CRM systems hereSelf employed? considering going self employed? Join my powerful low cost coaching group hereHave a question? email me here

In this episode I talk about the importance of setting boundaries with family and friends when you are self employed and what can happen if we don't set boundaries..If you liked this episode check out my Facebook group Trowel Talk now with over 7,000 self employed plasterers it's a solid community to support and help you in your plastering career !Need 1 to 1 coaching to walk you through step by step how to build your domestic plastering business strong?Join my coaching group Have a question?Email me: [email protected]

Stronger on the Tools #1 – 5 Ways to Build Stamina and Power with Coach John Lockyear (Brick Dust & Barbells)Long days on the tools take their toll – the bad back, the aching knees, the energy crash halfway through the job. If you’re a bloke over 40, you know exactly what that feels like. In this episode, I sit down with Coach John Lockyear from Brick Dust & Barbells to cut through the fluff and give you 5 no-nonsense ways to build stamina, strength and lasting power so you can graft harder, recover quicker, and still have something left in the tank after work. No gimmicks, no BS – just straight talk and strategies that actually work for lads who earn their living with a trowel in hand.Enjoyed this podcast?Check out John's podcast: Brick Dust & BarbellsJoin Trowel Talk Community Become a Tribe Member

'If your good at what you do, you don't need to advertise'??So many tradespeople and plasterers have this mindset. In this short episode I breakdown the reasons why this philosophy around marketing and advertising your business is very risky and self limiting.Please do drop a comment below if you have any thoughts on this topic?Enjoyed this episode?Learn more by visiting my website here:www.troweltalk.co.uk

In this episode I chat with Damien Button from Buttons Plastering Norfolk.We discuss how spray cork has pushed his business to new levels and how implementing the powerful systems inside the Tribe coaching group has drastically changed his business learn more by visiting www.troweltalk.co.uk

In this episode, I catch up with Dan Bunce to hear how things have changed since he joined The Tribe. He shares the breakthroughs he’s had after niching down into internal wall insulation and putting our organic marketing strategies into action — and the results speak for themselves.If you’re a self-employed tradesperson ready to grow your business with clarity, confidence, and community — it’s time to join The Tribe:https://buy.stripe.com/4gw3ec9jk7Or3hCbIILearn more about Trowel Talk here:www.troweltalk.co.uk

Trowel Talk is back! Are you a spread? Join the Community here 👇(it's Free)https://bit.ly/4mPlkqF​Prefer to watch this chat on YouTube? Head to the video version here:https://youtu.be/0b5vwlZkF84?si=AK-w7tqq8BNH9qQj&utm_source=MTQxZNeed 1 to 1 support to help you progress and niche down your business? check out my coaching and courses here and contact me via WhatsApp 👇www.troweltalk.co.uk In this video we discuss:Best Plasterers Van? | Plasterers Van Set Up, Finance Options & Best Shelving Set Up for PlasterersLooking for the best plasterers van to run your business efficiently? In this video, we break down everything you need to know about choosing the right plasterers business van, whether you're just starting out or looking to upgrade.We dive into: 🚐 The pros and cons of buying a used van for plastering💸 Van finance options – lease vs. HP vs. cash🔧 The best shelving set up for plasterers –Get organised, professional, and protect your money earners with the best racking set up! ⚖️ Comparing running costs and reliability between used vans and financed vans🏆 What makes a van the best plasterers van for your needs?Whether you're a self-employed sole trader plasterer or running a growing team, this guide will help you make smarter decisions about your plasterers van set up and investment. Plus, we’ll show real-world setups from working plasterers to inspire your own van organisation.👉 Don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe for more tips on running a successful plastering business

Why are some plasterers able to charge so much more than the average rate? Let's talk about positioning and how the volume based business model compares to the premium positioning model

If you found this information helpful and you are considering some coaching then check out my affordable coaching group here: https://bit.ly/48JNQmz or email me: [email protected]

Working as a self employed plasterer can be extremely rewarding and lucrative but it is also extremely challenging. The financial uncertainty combined with the physical nature of plastering day in day out, the wear on the body and fear of injury.. sometimes things get too much and we blow a fuse.. In this episode taken from a live coaching session I share with you tools and ideas that have helped me to develop a tough, resilient mindset that I believe is necessary to withstand the ups and downs of being a small business owner in the construction industry. Learn more and join my affordable coaching group by visiting my website: www.troweltalk.co.uk

31st March is the official launch date of the IWI ONLINE VIDEO TRAINING COURSE. If you are a plasterer looking to tap the IWI market and level up your skillset then check out this course now ! http://eepurl.com/i_pITI For more info or to ask questions about the course please email: [email protected]

How much profit should you add to your day rate? This can be hard to get your head around when we are new to self employment. Every small business and self employed tradesperson must make a profit margin on top of a basic wage but how much? In this episode I talk about the importance of your profit margin and share mistakes I've made early on in my business and why scaling isn't always the best choice for plasterers Download my free profit margin calculator spreadsheet from the website: www.troweltalk.co.uk Have a question? Email me: [email protected] Thank you 👍

THE DREADED 'SLOP' BUCKET! Where do you get rid of your dirty plaster water bucket at the end of the job? A storm drain in the road? A bush in the front garden? 🙈 This is common problem for plasterers but Mark Huyton has design a unique system for filtering dirty water into clean water that can then be used to mix up or simply poured away without risk of blocking the customers sink ! Get your hands on a FREE Shark bag by joining Trowel Talk community here: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1AQCYa62QB/ Watch the video podcast on YouTube here to get a look at the shark bag: https://youtu.be/Pp5Z1j8o2xM?si=P1FNoVP5vGuhQCv- Join our thriving coaching program and take advantage of the many discounts on tools and training here: www.troweltalk.co.uk

Many self employed tradespeople are still getting no response after providing a quote to customers. Many driving to customers homes quoting jobs on the weekends and evenings and having no response and not winning the jobs.. This burns into our free time and can causes stress.. Having quotes rejected can be extremely frustrating for the tradesmen and can cause us to 'low ball' our prices in an effort to win more work. In this episode I unpack a powerful way to screen your customers to prevent this problem from occurring. Video marketing is something each and every self employed tradesperson should be leveraging but many of us are still on the fence and are missing out. Visit the website to learn more and to join my group and take charge of your self employment life: www.troweltalk.co.uk

How to keep work enquiries coming in when self employed can be a challenge. In this short session I discuss a strategy to keep high profit jobs coming into your plastering business over and over again through winter. Learn more and join the Trowel Talk coaching program here: www.troweltalk.co.uk Thanks for listening.

7 Habits of highly effective people is a classic personal development and business book written by the late Stephen Covey in this short audio clip I briefly touch on the book and plans for 2025 inside the coaching group learn more about Trowel Talk and the coaching program here: www.troweltalk.co.uk

In this episode we unpack 3 business models that self employed plasterers can implement to maximise profits and reach their business goals We also discuss legal requirements, Internal wall insulation and specialising. If you would like to find out more about the Trowel Talk coaching program you do that here: https://bit.ly/48JNQmz

Join us inside this powerful episode taken from a live coaching session inside the Trowel Talk coaching program where we discuss 6 powerful strategies to redirect your business and target better jobs. Download our free goal setting template email [email protected] Learn more about our powerful coaching program open to all self employed plasterers and tradespeople for just 80p per day cancel anytime! visit: www.troweltalk.co.uk

Wayne walks us through his self employment plastering journey and talks about his accident that resulted in two broken wrists and how this impacted his business and personal life Watch the video podcast on trowel talk

Discussing experiences and strategies to handle negative feedback when working as self employed plasterers

Aside from financial terms and conditions, As plasterers we also need to set expectations with customers by stating in writing how we want our jobs to play out. In this episode taken from a live coaching session we unpack terms and conditions and cover some powerful topics to help you in your plastering business. Like the content? Join our free webinars page to watch the live video sessions: https://www.facebook.com/share/2jjBoaW4JhYMx5FA/ Learn about our powerful coaching program: https://buy.stripe.com/4gw3ec9jk7Or3hCbII

Christmas special guests include Raymond Hindle, Chris Powell & Joel Cooke In this episode we talk about: *Work ethic & attitude *Dealing with negative people *Gratitude *& Much more!

Let's discuss the importance of booking deposits and why all self employed plasterers should consider taking Job deposits and implementing payment terms in their business

This one is a bit different because I'm the one being interrogated this time! Joel Cooke interviews me and asks me what inspired me to start Trowel Talk and the Mentoring Group

Machine Spray Rendering Specialist Joel Cooke shines a light on the new predator range and explains the advantages of machine application vs traditional hand applied render

In this exclusive live Interview Plasterer and Commercial Director at CorkSol UK Jamie Orr joins us to share his career story and to discuss the many benefits of this spray cork coating which is taking the plastering market by storm

Guests Alan Arbuthnot & Alec Ayre answer your questions around lime plastering & signpost members to recommended training facilities & materials

Jason joins me to discuss alcohol within the plastering trade & explains why he chose to stop drinking & now helps others do the same

Streamed live from the Amber Rose pub in Edinburgh the plastering podcast episode 4 is a collaboration with followers from Trowel Talk & Ask the Plasterer channels (Apologies the audio is not great guys wifi signal weak)

I'm excited to announce that the new mentoring group is nearing completion & will be up & running in the coming weeks. Join our Facebook group Trowel Talk & drop me a message for more information

In this short excerpt taken from a video I created about quantity I give my take on how much plaster a plasterer should put on when working alone. I discuss suction & other determining factors that play a part in the amount of plaster we mix up & apply. If you liked this podcast please consider joining our trowel talk community on Facebook & get involved in the discussion.

We know that successful people create a vision for their life. With anxiety levels rising within the trade, In this podcast I talk about having a vision for your plastering business & highlight a common denominator for all successful plasterers & it doesn't have to do with the materials they have chosen to spread. Join our Facebook group Trowel Talk & share your thoughts.

In this podcast episode I talk to Trisha from the the lighthouse club who highlights the many benefits of the construction industry charity

Considered an expert in his field by fellow plasterers Alan Arbuthnot, a heritage plasterer from Leicester, Warwickshire is experienced in over 50 different plastering materials ranging from lime putty, hydrolic limes through to modern day gypsum base coats & finish coats, thin coat silicone & prebagged renders, sand & cement renders & more.. Alan's impressive portfolio of work photos & willingness to help his fellow man has won him the respect of the online plastering community. We talk fundamentals, passing down skills to the new blood, pricing jobs & self employment.

We talk to Dan Bunce & Marcus Barron discussing career change & self employment business sense.

In this interview Eric explains how health & fitness has helped him to remain injury free despite having almost 40 years behind the trowel

The Princess Plasterer & Blaine Gray (Plastering for beginners) joins us along with Alex Morley, Joel Cooke & Eric De Valmency to discuss site V domestic & the pros & cons of each.

Fix radio's Plasterer of the year 2022 Rich Wellfair shares his Journey & straight talking business advice

Rising, falling & bouncing back Joel shares his business journey & offers down advice for newly self employed.

Episode 1 of the Plastering Podcast guests include Alex Morley, Kirk Johnstone, Eric De Valmency, Anthony Parry & Joel Cooke discussing how to get a YouTube channel off the ground.