<![CDATA[Hypotential Unlocking Business]]>4de35e72-f322-5426-aa20-987804c0ad6bWed, 16 Sep 2026 23:00:21 +0000Captivate.fmKane Tyler Smithhttps://artwork.captivate.fm/f18f5122-c644-4984-ba6d-5face1698d80/Captivate.jpgHypotential Unlocking BusinessKane Tyler SmithKane Tyler SmithMost trade businesses are not actually as profitable as they look. More vans, more staff, more revenue, and somehow less money left at the end of the month, less time, and a business that only runs because you are in it every day. Hypotential Unlocked is the podcast for residential trade business owners who are done with theory and want to know how the business actually gets fixed. Hosted by Kane Tyler Smith, who built Smartfix from one ute in a Perth garage to a $30.7M multi-trade business with 133 staff, and then faced the hardest moment of his career when the whole thing nearly came apart. Every episode is grounded in what actually happened inside a real business. Operator interviews with trade business owners sharing what worked and what broke. Kane breaking down lessons from real situations. No recycled business advice. No guru content. Just the kind of conversation you would have with someone who has been through it. If you are running a trade business and the numbers are not adding up the way they should, this is the show. Based in Perth, Western Australia. New episodes published weekly at hypotential.comhttps://www.hypotential.comfalseepisodicnopodcastPerth, Western AustraliaSelling My Business Broke Me | Dan NollSelling My Business Broke Me | Dan NollWould you know if your business had already grown past the point of making sense?

In Episode 21 of Unlocking Business, I sit down with Dan Noll, founder of T2U, a new app connecting clients with vetted, insured tradies. Before T2U, Dan spent 14 years building WTS Mechanical Projects, a tier 2 construction and HVAC business he started at 20 and sold last year.

We get into what it felt like handing over a business that had been part of his life since he was a kid, and the biggest lesson he took from it. Growth isn't automatically good. Dan describes an overgrown, undisciplined business as a bucket with a hole in the bottom, you can keep pouring work in and still end up with nothing, because it's leaking straight back out through discounted pricing, overhiring, and jobs that never should have been taken on.

We also cover:

Why Dan turned down building TTU with AI, even though it's cost him more.

How TTU's vetting process works, and why it's the actual point of difference against HiPages, Airtasker and One Flare.

Subscription pricing instead of pay per lead.

Why Dan wishes he'd started networking a decade earlier than he did.

Hiring discipline, saying no to underpriced work, and educating clients on quotes.

Using AI for admin without fully trusting it yet.

Why nobody services their air con before summer, and what that says about how people run their businesses too.

Advice for anyone starting a business from nothing.

]]>Would you know if your business had already grown past the point of making sense?

In Episode 21 of Unlocking Business, I sit down with Dan Noll, founder of T2U, a new app connecting clients with vetted, insured tradies. Before T2U, Dan spent 14 years building WTS Mechanical Projects, a tier 2 construction and HVAC business he started at 20 and sold last year.

We get into what it felt like handing over a business that had been part of his life since he was a kid, and the biggest lesson he took from it. Growth isn't automatically good. Dan describes an overgrown, undisciplined business as a bucket with a hole in the bottom, you can keep pouring work in and still end up with nothing, because it's leaking straight back out through discounted pricing, overhiring, and jobs that never should have been taken on.

We also cover:

Why Dan turned down building TTU with AI, even though it's cost him more.

How TTU's vetting process works, and why it's the actual point of difference against HiPages, Airtasker and One Flare.

Subscription pricing instead of pay per lead.

Why Dan wishes he'd started networking a decade earlier than he did.

Hiring discipline, saying no to underpriced work, and educating clients on quotes.

Using AI for admin without fully trusting it yet.

Why nobody services their air con before summer, and what that says about how people run their businesses too.

Advice for anyone starting a business from nothing.

]]>375e57bc-c42f-4e36-98b7-eae420590ceaThu, 17 Sep 2026 07:00:00 +080059:52falsefull2121What Trade Businesses Can Learn From the Corporate World | Paul O’NeilWhat Trade Businesses Can Learn From the Corporate World | Paul O’NeilWhat can trade businesses learn from the corporate world?

Paul O’Neil took a very different route into the trades.

After building his career in corporate leadership, including senior management roles with Optus, Paul moved into small business and is now a Director of Plumbing Bros West Coast.

In this episode of Unlocking Business, we get into what he's brought across from corporate Australia, and what he's had to completely relearn.

We talk about culture, leadership, staff retention, onboarding, hiring the right people, managing tradespeople, customer service and why Paul believes trade businesses need to put more emphasis on developing their people.

We also get into the realities of running a business. Being everything to everyone, learning to set boundaries, building a leadership team, knowing when to stop chasing growth and trying to enjoy the journey while you're actually living it.

Paul also shares how Plumbing Bros approaches property management clients, virtual assistants, after-hours service, AI, recruitment and developing future leaders internally.

A practical conversation between two operators approaching the trade industry from very different backgrounds.

Follow Kane: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kanetylersmith

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith

Follow Hypotential: Website: https://www.hypotential.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hypotentialco

Connect with Paul and Plumb Bros:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauljamesoneill/

Website: https://plumbingbros.com.au/

]]>What can trade businesses learn from the corporate world?

Paul O’Neil took a very different route into the trades.

After building his career in corporate leadership, including senior management roles with Optus, Paul moved into small business and is now a Director of Plumbing Bros West Coast.

In this episode of Unlocking Business, we get into what he's brought across from corporate Australia, and what he's had to completely relearn.

We talk about culture, leadership, staff retention, onboarding, hiring the right people, managing tradespeople, customer service and why Paul believes trade businesses need to put more emphasis on developing their people.

We also get into the realities of running a business. Being everything to everyone, learning to set boundaries, building a leadership team, knowing when to stop chasing growth and trying to enjoy the journey while you're actually living it.

Paul also shares how Plumbing Bros approaches property management clients, virtual assistants, after-hours service, AI, recruitment and developing future leaders internally.

A practical conversation between two operators approaching the trade industry from very different backgrounds.

Follow Kane: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kanetylersmith

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith

Follow Hypotential: Website: https://www.hypotential.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hypotentialco

Connect with Paul and Plumb Bros:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauljamesoneill/

Website: https://plumbingbros.com.au/

]]>e934c1fa-09ca-41b8-99ae-fdbb9197851cThu, 10 Sep 2026 07:00:00 +080001:08:40falsefull2020Is Your Business Worth Anything Without You? | Dr. Mitch CatterallIs Your Business Worth Anything Without You? | Dr. Mitch CatterallWhat is your business actually worth if you disappear tomorrow?

In Episode 19 of Unlocking Business, I sit down with Dr. Mitch Catterall from Unveil Development Partners. Mitch works with owner-operated businesses to identify the gaps keeping them dependent on their founder — then build the people, systems and structures needed so the value sits inside the business, not inside the owner's head.

This conversation gets particularly personal when Mitch explains why this work matters so much to him. His family ran a commercial fencing and security fencing business since he was nine years old. When his dad's health deteriorated, his knees blew out and he needed a double reconstruction, the family discovered the business they'd spent years building had very little value without him. An accountant told them it wasn't worth anything beyond the assets, and it was sold for little more than the price of the ute, despite $250k of contracted work in the pipeline.

We talk about how business owners can avoid ending up in the same position.

We also cover:

  • The difference between getting bigger and actually growing
  • Why gut instinct isn't enough, and using data across finance, people, culture and leadership
  • DISC profiling and recruitment — running it before you hire, not after
  • Why one bad hire can destroy a culture in a week
  • Owner dependency and business valuations (the 3x replacement model)
  • Why every owner eventually exits their business, one way or another
  • Mitch's family business story and his "founding wound"
  • Why systems don't need to be complicated or tied to software
  • Why being the best tradie doesn't create the best business
  • The business education tradies and lawyers never receive
  • Hire slow, fire fast
  • Why founder-led content matters — "multiplying the handshake"
  • Nine followers, 178,000 views
  • The pressure and isolation of running a business, and why tradies should be proud of the industry
  • Why competitors should collaborate more

A very relevant conversation for anyone who has built themselves a successful business — but is starting to realise they might also be the thing holding it together.

Follow Kane:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kanetylersmith

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kanetylersmith

Follow Hypotential:

Website: https://www.hypotential.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hypotentialco

Connect with Dr. Mitch Catterall:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmitch_unveil/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mitch.catterall/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-mitch-catterall-513000255/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drmitch_unveil

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrMitch_Unveil

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCBi3piXfxQz44srOrwykywg

Website: https://unveildp.com/

]]>What is your business actually worth if you disappear tomorrow?

In Episode 19 of Unlocking Business, I sit down with Dr. Mitch Catterall from Unveil Development Partners. Mitch works with owner-operated businesses to identify the gaps keeping them dependent on their founder — then build the people, systems and structures needed so the value sits inside the business, not inside the owner's head.

This conversation gets particularly personal when Mitch explains why this work matters so much to him. His family ran a commercial fencing and security fencing business since he was nine years old. When his dad's health deteriorated, his knees blew out and he needed a double reconstruction, the family discovered the business they'd spent years building had very little value without him. An accountant told them it wasn't worth anything beyond the assets, and it was sold for little more than the price of the ute, despite $250k of contracted work in the pipeline.

We talk about how business owners can avoid ending up in the same position.

We also cover:

  • The difference between getting bigger and actually growing
  • Why gut instinct isn't enough, and using data across finance, people, culture and leadership
  • DISC profiling and recruitment — running it before you hire, not after
  • Why one bad hire can destroy a culture in a week
  • Owner dependency and business valuations (the 3x replacement model)
  • Why every owner eventually exits their business, one way or another
  • Mitch's family business story and his "founding wound"
  • Why systems don't need to be complicated or tied to software
  • Why being the best tradie doesn't create the best business
  • The business education tradies and lawyers never receive
  • Hire slow, fire fast
  • Why founder-led content matters — "multiplying the handshake"
  • Nine followers, 178,000 views
  • The pressure and isolation of running a business, and why tradies should be proud of the industry
  • Why competitors should collaborate more

A very relevant conversation for anyone who has built themselves a successful business — but is starting to realise they might also be the thing holding it together.

Follow Kane:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kanetylersmith

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kanetylersmith

Follow Hypotential:

Website: https://www.hypotential.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hypotentialco

Connect with Dr. Mitch Catterall:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmitch_unveil/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mitch.catterall/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-mitch-catterall-513000255/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drmitch_unveil

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrMitch_Unveil

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCBi3piXfxQz44srOrwykywg

Website: https://unveildp.com/

]]>16457c6c-e7df-4401-9d3b-cf675460cbafThu, 03 Sep 2026 07:00:00 +080001:00:42falsefull1919Starting a Plumbing Business and Building Systems That Last | Peter Craft from ASAP TradesStarting a Plumbing Business and Building Systems That Last | Peter Craft from ASAP TradesIn this episode, Kane sits down with Peter Craft, co-owner of ASAP Trades, a Perth plumbing business built around honest service, clear communication and doing the job right the first time. Peter was also one of the very first members to join Hypotential Foundations.

Peter and Kane get into the real stuff: what they would do differently if starting again, why tracking your marketing spend properly changes everything, the challenge of finding tradies who can also sell, how to train a sales process without scaring off good installers, the role of weekly sales meetings and ride alongs, why callbacks handled well turn into your most loyal customers, what separates a good trades business from a great one, and the power of connecting with other business owners who have already been through what you are going through.

If you run a trades business and want to hear an honest conversation about the messy middle of growing a small team, this one is worth your time.

Follow Hypotential:

Website: https://www.hypotential.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HypotentialCo

Follow Kane:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneTylerSmithWA

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith

Connect with Peter and ASAP Trades:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asaptradies/

Website: https://asaptrades.com.au/

]]>In this episode, Kane sits down with Peter Craft, co-owner of ASAP Trades, a Perth plumbing business built around honest service, clear communication and doing the job right the first time. Peter was also one of the very first members to join Hypotential Foundations.

Peter and Kane get into the real stuff: what they would do differently if starting again, why tracking your marketing spend properly changes everything, the challenge of finding tradies who can also sell, how to train a sales process without scaring off good installers, the role of weekly sales meetings and ride alongs, why callbacks handled well turn into your most loyal customers, what separates a good trades business from a great one, and the power of connecting with other business owners who have already been through what you are going through.

If you run a trades business and want to hear an honest conversation about the messy middle of growing a small team, this one is worth your time.

Follow Hypotential:

Website: https://www.hypotential.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HypotentialCo

Follow Kane:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneTylerSmithWA

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith

Connect with Peter and ASAP Trades:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asaptradies/

Website: https://asaptrades.com.au/

]]>7d14b6b2-9448-4a51-a8a2-d53c56ad5262Thu, 27 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +080001:17:49falsefull1818Building a Trade Business at 21 | Myles Gaebler from Perth Building Inspection RepairsBuilding a Trade Business at 21 | Myles Gaebler from Perth Building Inspection RepairsIn this episode, Kane sits down with Myles Gaebler, owner of Perth Building Inspection Repairs, for a refreshingly honest conversation about what it actually looks like to start a trade business at 21 with no plan and figure it out as you go.

Myles started his business to earn more than a carpenter's wage while still having time to train for an Ironman. Less than a year in, he is booked out weeks in advance, turning away 40 grand worth of work a month, and navigating the real challenges of his industry: the need for a registered builder to sign off structural repairs, tight settlement deadlines, dodgy inspectors, cash flow risk and knowing when to grow versus when to stay lean.

He and Kane also get into hiring tradies vs apprentices, using AI to build professional reports in minutes, CRM and job management software, social media for building trust as a young tradie, FIFO, fixed pricing, the cost of getting a Google lead, and what Myles would do differently if he started again today.

Follow Hypotential:

Website: https://www.hypotential.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HypotentialCo

Follow Kane:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneTylerSmithWA

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith

Connect with Myles and Perth Building Inspection Repairs:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perthbuildinginspectionrepairs/

Website: https://perthbuildinginspectionrepairs.com.au/

]]>In this episode, Kane sits down with Myles Gaebler, owner of Perth Building Inspection Repairs, for a refreshingly honest conversation about what it actually looks like to start a trade business at 21 with no plan and figure it out as you go.

Myles started his business to earn more than a carpenter's wage while still having time to train for an Ironman. Less than a year in, he is booked out weeks in advance, turning away 40 grand worth of work a month, and navigating the real challenges of his industry: the need for a registered builder to sign off structural repairs, tight settlement deadlines, dodgy inspectors, cash flow risk and knowing when to grow versus when to stay lean.

He and Kane also get into hiring tradies vs apprentices, using AI to build professional reports in minutes, CRM and job management software, social media for building trust as a young tradie, FIFO, fixed pricing, the cost of getting a Google lead, and what Myles would do differently if he started again today.

Follow Hypotential:

Website: https://www.hypotential.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HypotentialCo

Follow Kane:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneTylerSmithWA

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith

Connect with Myles and Perth Building Inspection Repairs:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perthbuildinginspectionrepairs/

Website: https://perthbuildinginspectionrepairs.com.au/

]]>01d0c06f-05b2-4edb-bb6f-ee43c4f406c9Thu, 20 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +080001:20:09falsefull1717Commercial Property and Smart Investing | Luke Randazzo from Burgess RawsonCommercial Property and Smart Investing | Luke Randazzo from Burgess RawsonIn this episode, Kane sits down with Luke Randazzo, Director at Burgess Rawson, one of WA's leading commercial real estate agencies. Luke has brokered over $450 million in transactions and is one of the youngest shareholders in the business.

Luke and Kane get into the real stuff: what the new negative gearing and capital gains tax changes mean for investors, why commercial property is now wide open while residential has been shut down for investors, the difference between office, retail and industrial assets, how self-managed super funds can be used to buy commercial property, the risks of long term leases, make good clauses and fit out contributions, how to cold call your way to a deal, and why customer service and follow up are the real difference makers in any industry.

They also swap stories about building businesses the hard way, why Australia is becoming increasingly difficult for entrepreneurs, and what Luke would do if he had $1 million to invest today.

Follow Hypotential:

Website: https://www.hypotential.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HypotentialCo

Follow Kane:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneTylerSmithWA

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith

Connect with Luke and Burgess Rawson:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-randazzo-77359b139/

Website: https://brwa.com.au/

]]>In this episode, Kane sits down with Luke Randazzo, Director at Burgess Rawson, one of WA's leading commercial real estate agencies. Luke has brokered over $450 million in transactions and is one of the youngest shareholders in the business.

Luke and Kane get into the real stuff: what the new negative gearing and capital gains tax changes mean for investors, why commercial property is now wide open while residential has been shut down for investors, the difference between office, retail and industrial assets, how self-managed super funds can be used to buy commercial property, the risks of long term leases, make good clauses and fit out contributions, how to cold call your way to a deal, and why customer service and follow up are the real difference makers in any industry.

They also swap stories about building businesses the hard way, why Australia is becoming increasingly difficult for entrepreneurs, and what Luke would do if he had $1 million to invest today.

Follow Hypotential:

Website: https://www.hypotential.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HypotentialCo

Follow Kane:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneTylerSmithWA

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith

Connect with Luke and Burgess Rawson:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-randazzo-77359b139/

Website: https://brwa.com.au/

]]>f5622b4d-b2ec-4a41-83cd-e87afe95efb2Thu, 13 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +080001:07:29falsefull1616Marketing, Branding and What Actually Works for Trade Businesses | Aisha Derrick from SmartfixMarketing, Branding and What Actually Works for Trade Businesses | Aisha Derrick from SmartfixIn this episode, Kane sits down with Aisha Derrick, Brand and Marketing Manager at Smartfix and co-owner of Hypotential, for a practical conversation about what actually works when it comes to marketing a residential trade business.

Aisha has spent four years shaping Smartfix's branding, advertising and customer experience, and in this episode she breaks it all down for trades business owners at every stage. They cover the biggest mistakes small budget businesses make, why branding and advertising are not the same thing, how to stand out in a market where everyone says the same thing, the role of Google reviews and Google Business posts, how AI is changing content creation and why authenticity is becoming more valuable as a result, and the one piece of marketing advice every business owner should hear before they spend a cent.

If you run a trades business and want to get smarter with your marketing without wasting time or money, this one is for you.

Follow Hypotential:

Website: https://www.hypotential.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HypotentialCo

Follow Kane:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneTylerSmithWA

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith Connect with

Smartfix:

Website: https://teamsmartfix.com.au/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamsmartfix/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamSmartfixPty

]]>In this episode, Kane sits down with Aisha Derrick, Brand and Marketing Manager at Smartfix and co-owner of Hypotential, for a practical conversation about what actually works when it comes to marketing a residential trade business.

Aisha has spent four years shaping Smartfix's branding, advertising and customer experience, and in this episode she breaks it all down for trades business owners at every stage. They cover the biggest mistakes small budget businesses make, why branding and advertising are not the same thing, how to stand out in a market where everyone says the same thing, the role of Google reviews and Google Business posts, how AI is changing content creation and why authenticity is becoming more valuable as a result, and the one piece of marketing advice every business owner should hear before they spend a cent.

If you run a trades business and want to get smarter with your marketing without wasting time or money, this one is for you.

Follow Hypotential:

Website: https://www.hypotential.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HypotentialCo

Follow Kane:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneTylerSmithWA

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith Connect with

Smartfix:

Website: https://teamsmartfix.com.au/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamsmartfix/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamSmartfixPty

]]>3487f9b3-f98f-4dcf-8344-341179ef9b6bThu, 06 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +080001:23:01falsefull1515Finance, Property Investment and Borrowing Smart as a Business Owner | Dan Steed from FunddFinance, Property Investment and Borrowing Smart as a Business Owner | Dan Steed from FunddIn this episode, Kane sits down with Dan Steed, a commercial and mortgage broker operating under Fundd, who spent over a decade in senior roles at Barclays and Lloyds in the UK before moving to Australia and becoming one of Western Australia's top performing bankers at Westpac. In the financial year ending 2026, Dan settled $552 million in new lending.

Dan and Kane get into the real stuff: why you should never go direct to a bank, the difference between residential and commercial lending, how to use your home equity to grow a business, the self-managed super fund rule changes every investor needs to know about, why your books looking too lean can stop you from borrowing, how to get a business loan when you have no hard assets, and why a broker's job is not just to find the cheapest rate but the right one.

They also swap stories about the hidden costs of running a business, payroll tax mistakes, long service leave, and what Dan would tell anyone thinking about investing half a million dollars today.

If you own a business and have never spoken to a broker, this one might change that.

Follow Hypotential:

Website: https://www.hypotential.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HypotentialCo

Follow Kane:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneTylerSmithWA

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith

Connect with Dan and Fundd:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-steed-4b9aa076/

Website: https://fundd.com.au/

]]>In this episode, Kane sits down with Dan Steed, a commercial and mortgage broker operating under Fundd, who spent over a decade in senior roles at Barclays and Lloyds in the UK before moving to Australia and becoming one of Western Australia's top performing bankers at Westpac. In the financial year ending 2026, Dan settled $552 million in new lending.

Dan and Kane get into the real stuff: why you should never go direct to a bank, the difference between residential and commercial lending, how to use your home equity to grow a business, the self-managed super fund rule changes every investor needs to know about, why your books looking too lean can stop you from borrowing, how to get a business loan when you have no hard assets, and why a broker's job is not just to find the cheapest rate but the right one.

They also swap stories about the hidden costs of running a business, payroll tax mistakes, long service leave, and what Dan would tell anyone thinking about investing half a million dollars today.

If you own a business and have never spoken to a broker, this one might change that.

Follow Hypotential:

Website: https://www.hypotential.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HypotentialCo

Follow Kane:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneTylerSmithWA

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith

Connect with Dan and Fundd:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-steed-4b9aa076/

Website: https://fundd.com.au/

]]>bacb4a21-bda9-4ff6-bf81-b75be764a07bThu, 30 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +080001:23:08falsefull1414Startups, Innovation and Turning an Idea Into a Real Business | Isabelle CharterStartups, Innovation and Turning an Idea Into a Real Business | Isabelle CharterIn this episode, Kane sits down with Isabelle Charter, Head of Venture Studios at BetterLabs and CEO of Town Square, who has spent nearly two decades building, scaling and investing in startups across Australia and beyond.

Isabelle previously built and exited Drip, Australia's first investing app for under 18s, and now leads BetterLabs, the strategic innovation arm of RAC, where she builds and funds new companies from concept to scale.

She and Kane get into what it actually takes to turn an idea into a business, why most founders overbuild before validating, how to fail fast and move on, the AI tools changing how startups prototype and test, what a corporate venture studio looks like from the inside, and why saying no to the wrong clients is one of the most important things a growing business can do. They also swap stories about doing too much, losing focus and what brought them both back to their core.

If you are thinking about starting something, or you are already in it and wondering why it feels so hard, this one is worth your time.

Follow Hypotential:

Website: https://www.hypotential.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HypotentialCo

Follow Kane:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneTylerSmithWA

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith

Connect with Isabelle:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelle-charter/

]]>In this episode, Kane sits down with Isabelle Charter, Head of Venture Studios at BetterLabs and CEO of Town Square, who has spent nearly two decades building, scaling and investing in startups across Australia and beyond.

Isabelle previously built and exited Drip, Australia's first investing app for under 18s, and now leads BetterLabs, the strategic innovation arm of RAC, where she builds and funds new companies from concept to scale.

She and Kane get into what it actually takes to turn an idea into a business, why most founders overbuild before validating, how to fail fast and move on, the AI tools changing how startups prototype and test, what a corporate venture studio looks like from the inside, and why saying no to the wrong clients is one of the most important things a growing business can do. They also swap stories about doing too much, losing focus and what brought them both back to their core.

If you are thinking about starting something, or you are already in it and wondering why it feels so hard, this one is worth your time.

Follow Hypotential:

Website: https://www.hypotential.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HypotentialCo

Follow Kane:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneTylerSmithWA

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith

Connect with Isabelle:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelle-charter/

]]>19bcc050-ac26-4644-a713-d6f94856e57cThu, 23 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +080001:28:27falsefull1313Running a Premium Aircon Business, Sales Process and Growing in Perth | Louis from WestOz TradesRunning a Premium Aircon Business, Sales Process and Growing in Perth | Louis from WestOz TradesIn this episode, Kane sits down with Louis, founder of WestOz Trades, one of Perth's leading residential and commercial air conditioning businesses. Kane and Louis have known each other for 17 years, going back to their apprenticeship days, and this one has the easy honesty of two mates who have both been through the wringer building a trades business from scratch.

Louis runs a team of around 22 staff across the office and road, with a reputation built on premium service, nearly 1000 Google reviews, and a loyal property management client base. He and Kane get into the real stuff: how WestOz Trades moved into commercial work, the cert two course debate and what it is doing to the air conditioning industry, CRM and job management software, SOPs and team communication, the Monday morning toolbox talk that keeps the whole team aligned, a detailed walk through of the WestOz Trades sales process including follow up, how to charge a premium rate and actually win the job, Google ads and lead costs, door knocking as an underrated sales tactic, and what they both wish they had known when they started out.

If you run a trades business and want to hear how someone who has been doing it for nine years actually operates day to day, this one is worth your time.

Follow Hypotential:

Website: https://www.hypotential.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HypotentialCo

Follow Kane:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneTylerSmithWA

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith

Connect with WestOz Trades:

Website: https://westoztradesairconditioningservices.com.au/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westoztrades/

Facebook: https: https://www.facebook.com/Westoztrades/

]]>In this episode, Kane sits down with Louis, founder of WestOz Trades, one of Perth's leading residential and commercial air conditioning businesses. Kane and Louis have known each other for 17 years, going back to their apprenticeship days, and this one has the easy honesty of two mates who have both been through the wringer building a trades business from scratch.

Louis runs a team of around 22 staff across the office and road, with a reputation built on premium service, nearly 1000 Google reviews, and a loyal property management client base. He and Kane get into the real stuff: how WestOz Trades moved into commercial work, the cert two course debate and what it is doing to the air conditioning industry, CRM and job management software, SOPs and team communication, the Monday morning toolbox talk that keeps the whole team aligned, a detailed walk through of the WestOz Trades sales process including follow up, how to charge a premium rate and actually win the job, Google ads and lead costs, door knocking as an underrated sales tactic, and what they both wish they had known when they started out.

If you run a trades business and want to hear how someone who has been doing it for nine years actually operates day to day, this one is worth your time.

Follow Hypotential:

Website: https://www.hypotential.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HypotentialCo

Follow Kane:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneTylerSmithWA

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith

Connect with WestOz Trades:

Website: https://westoztradesairconditioningservices.com.au/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westoztrades/

Facebook: https: https://www.facebook.com/Westoztrades/

]]>8bedb687-22c0-4a5b-b908-824a4ccf238fThu, 16 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +080058:31falsefull1212Nutrition, Training and Staying Healthy as a Busy Business Owner | AJ from Team EctoNutrition, Training and Staying Healthy as a Busy Business Owner | AJ from Team EctoIn this episode, Kane sits down with AJ from Team Ecto, his personal trainer of five years, for a wide-ranging conversation about what actually works when it comes to health, fitness and nutrition for busy people.

AJ has been in the industry for 12 years and works primarily with business owners and time-poor people who are trying to improve their health without overhauling their entire life. He and Kane get into the real stuff: why nutrition is harder than training, how fad diets and influencer misinformation are making things worse, the 80/20 rule for sustainable results, sleep, routine, intermittent fasting, caffeine, digestion, managing kids and downtime, and the mindset shift that actually makes healthy habits stick long term.

If you are a busy person trying to figure out where to even start, this one breaks it all down in a way that is actually practical.

Follow Hypotential:

Website: https://www.hypotential.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HypotentialCo

Follow Kane:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneTylerSmithWA

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith

Connect with AJ:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aj_teamecto/

]]>In this episode, Kane sits down with AJ from Team Ecto, his personal trainer of five years, for a wide-ranging conversation about what actually works when it comes to health, fitness and nutrition for busy people.

AJ has been in the industry for 12 years and works primarily with business owners and time-poor people who are trying to improve their health without overhauling their entire life. He and Kane get into the real stuff: why nutrition is harder than training, how fad diets and influencer misinformation are making things worse, the 80/20 rule for sustainable results, sleep, routine, intermittent fasting, caffeine, digestion, managing kids and downtime, and the mindset shift that actually makes healthy habits stick long term.

If you are a busy person trying to figure out where to even start, this one breaks it all down in a way that is actually practical.

Follow Hypotential:

Website: https://www.hypotential.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HypotentialCo

Follow Kane:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneTylerSmithWA

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith

Connect with AJ:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aj_teamecto/

]]>2e9c3417-4050-446e-9962-15e576d8c93cThu, 09 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +080001:50:44falsefull1111Content Marketing, AI and Why Your Story Is Your Best Business Asset | Sarah from TypesetContent Marketing, AI and Why Your Story Is Your Best Business Asset | Sarah from TypesetIn this episode, Kane sits down with Sarah, co-founder of Typeset, a Perth-based content and writing business, for a wide-ranging conversation about what actually works when it comes to marketing, storytelling and content strategy for business owners.

Sarah has a background in software development, enterprise sales and writing, and has spent over two decades helping businesses communicate more clearly and build content that works as a long term asset. She and Kane get into the real stuff: why storytelling matters more than most people realise, how AI has changed the content industry and what businesses should actually be doing with it, the difference between paid ads and organic content, SEO vs content marketing and how to make the two work together, how to find a real expert in a market full of people claiming to be one, and why niching down and saying no to the wrong clients is one of the smartest things a small business can do.

If you are a business owner trying to figure out your marketing without wasting money on things that do not work, this one is full of practical advice from someone who has been in the trenches for a long time.

Follow Hypotential:

Website: https://www.hypotential.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HypotentialCo

Follow Kane:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneTylerSmithWA

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith

Connect with Sarah and Typeset:

Website: https://typesetcontent.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcmitchell/

]]>In this episode, Kane sits down with Sarah, co-founder of Typeset, a Perth-based content and writing business, for a wide-ranging conversation about what actually works when it comes to marketing, storytelling and content strategy for business owners.

Sarah has a background in software development, enterprise sales and writing, and has spent over two decades helping businesses communicate more clearly and build content that works as a long term asset. She and Kane get into the real stuff: why storytelling matters more than most people realise, how AI has changed the content industry and what businesses should actually be doing with it, the difference between paid ads and organic content, SEO vs content marketing and how to make the two work together, how to find a real expert in a market full of people claiming to be one, and why niching down and saying no to the wrong clients is one of the smartest things a small business can do.

If you are a business owner trying to figure out your marketing without wasting money on things that do not work, this one is full of practical advice from someone who has been in the trenches for a long time.

Follow Hypotential:

Website: https://www.hypotential.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HypotentialCo

Follow Kane:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneTylerSmithWA

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith

Connect with Sarah and Typeset:

Website: https://typesetcontent.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcmitchell/

]]>036cae9e-f2db-46f4-88a9-00547f30dc77Thu, 02 Jul 2026 08:00:00 +080001:45:11falsefull10108 Years of Smartfix, Building a Business With Your Brother | Fin from Smartfix8 Years of Smartfix, Building a Business With Your Brother | Fin from SmartfixIn this episode, Kane sits down with his brother Fin, Head of Installations at Smartfix, for an honest look back at eight years of building a business together from the ground up.

Fin joined Smartfix as a fourth year apprentice and has worked his way through every corner of the business, from installer to managing a team of over 35 people on the road. He and Kane get into the real stuff: what the early days actually looked like, the challenges of working with family, the period where Smartfix scaled fast to 150 staff and $30 million in revenue before almost losing everything, the systems and communication tools that changed the way the business operates, and what excites them both about where things are heading now.

If you have ever wondered what it really takes to build something big, or what happens when it nearly falls apart, this one does not hold back.

Follow Hypotential:

Website: https://www.hypotential.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HypotentialCo

Follow Kane:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneTylerSmithWA

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith

Connect with Smartfix:

Website: https://teamsmartfix.com.au/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamsmartfix/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamSmartfixPty

]]>In this episode, Kane sits down with his brother Fin, Head of Installations at Smartfix, for an honest look back at eight years of building a business together from the ground up.

Fin joined Smartfix as a fourth year apprentice and has worked his way through every corner of the business, from installer to managing a team of over 35 people on the road. He and Kane get into the real stuff: what the early days actually looked like, the challenges of working with family, the period where Smartfix scaled fast to 150 staff and $30 million in revenue before almost losing everything, the systems and communication tools that changed the way the business operates, and what excites them both about where things are heading now.

If you have ever wondered what it really takes to build something big, or what happens when it nearly falls apart, this one does not hold back.

Follow Hypotential:

Website: https://www.hypotential.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HypotentialCo

Follow Kane:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneTylerSmithWA

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith

Connect with Smartfix:

Website: https://teamsmartfix.com.au/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamsmartfix/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamSmartfixPty

]]>c2477dac-9aea-4fc4-add6-bc5610c4ae95Thu, 25 Jun 2026 08:00:00 +080001:03:16falsefull99Starting an Electrical Business and Pricing Your Work Properly | Angelo from Toptech ElectricalStarting an Electrical Business and Pricing Your Work Properly | Angelo from Toptech ElectricalIn this episode, Kane sits down with Angelo, owner of Toptech Electrical, for an honest conversation about what the first couple of years of running a solo electrical business actually looks like.

Angelo started Toptech Electrical in June 2024 after working at Smartfix, and has been building his client base from the ground up through Facebook community pages, school maintenance contracts and referrals. He and Kane get into the real stuff: the moment that pushed Angelo to go out on his own, why he hired an apprentice first and what he wishes he had done differently, the challenge of finding that first tradesman, quoting over the phone vs going to site, what did and did not work for lead generation, and why so many tradies undercharge themselves into trouble before they even get started.

If you are a tradie thinking about going out on your own or you are in the early stages of running your own business, this one is full of honest lessons from someone who is in it right now.

Follow Hypotential:

Website: https://www.hypotential.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HypotentialCo

Follow Kane:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneTylerSmithWA

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith

Connect with Angelo:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559665013673

Website: https://toptechperth.com.au/

]]>In this episode, Kane sits down with Angelo, owner of Toptech Electrical, for an honest conversation about what the first couple of years of running a solo electrical business actually looks like.

Angelo started Toptech Electrical in June 2024 after working at Smartfix, and has been building his client base from the ground up through Facebook community pages, school maintenance contracts and referrals. He and Kane get into the real stuff: the moment that pushed Angelo to go out on his own, why he hired an apprentice first and what he wishes he had done differently, the challenge of finding that first tradesman, quoting over the phone vs going to site, what did and did not work for lead generation, and why so many tradies undercharge themselves into trouble before they even get started.

If you are a tradie thinking about going out on your own or you are in the early stages of running your own business, this one is full of honest lessons from someone who is in it right now.

Follow Hypotential:

Website: https://www.hypotential.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HypotentialCo

Follow Kane:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneTylerSmithWA

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith

Connect with Angelo:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559665013673

Website: https://toptechperth.com.au/

]]>338e9caa-29cc-4e9a-b69c-6683c51b4e37Thu, 18 Jun 2026 12:00:00 +080046:50falsefull88Starting a Plumbing Business from Scratch, Hiring Tradies and Building Systems That LastStarting a Plumbing Business from Scratch, Hiring Tradies and Building Systems That LastIn this episode, Kane sits down with Rhys, founder of Oceania Plumbing and Gas, for a straight-talking conversation about what it actually takes to build a trades business from the ground up.

Rhys started his business in 2019, living at home with mum and dad, just as Covid hit. Three months of uncertainty quickly turned into one of the busiest periods he'd ever seen, and from there he scaled to six vehicles and a growing team. He and Kane get into the real stuff: hiring tradies vs apprentices, keeping staff long term, building systems when everything is chaos, customer service, social media, managing vehicles and insurance, and what they both wish someone had told them when they started out.

If you run a trade business or you're thinking about going out on your own, this one is packed with practical lessons from someone who's been in the trenches and figured it out along the way.

Follow Hypotential:

Website: https://www.hypotential.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HypotentialCo

Follow Kane:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneTylerSmithWA

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith

Connect with Oceania Plumbing and Gas:

Website: https://oceaniaplumbingandgas.com.au/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oceaniaplumbingandgas/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oceaniaplumbingandgas/

]]>In this episode, Kane sits down with Rhys, founder of Oceania Plumbing and Gas, for a straight-talking conversation about what it actually takes to build a trades business from the ground up.

Rhys started his business in 2019, living at home with mum and dad, just as Covid hit. Three months of uncertainty quickly turned into one of the busiest periods he'd ever seen, and from there he scaled to six vehicles and a growing team. He and Kane get into the real stuff: hiring tradies vs apprentices, keeping staff long term, building systems when everything is chaos, customer service, social media, managing vehicles and insurance, and what they both wish someone had told them when they started out.

If you run a trade business or you're thinking about going out on your own, this one is packed with practical lessons from someone who's been in the trenches and figured it out along the way.

Follow Hypotential:

Website: https://www.hypotential.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HypotentialCo

Follow Kane:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneTylerSmithWA

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith

Connect with Oceania Plumbing and Gas:

Website: https://oceaniaplumbingandgas.com.au/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oceaniaplumbingandgas/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oceaniaplumbingandgas/

]]>aa497b3a-159e-4bb8-8a39-05cf2abcc500Thu, 11 Jun 2026 08:30:00 +080001:18:38falsefull77Men's Mental Health & The Hidden Crisis Facing Aussie BlokesMen's Mental Health & The Hidden Crisis Facing Aussie BlokesIn this episode, Kane sits down with Jevyn from Men's Talk, a men's health promotion charity based in Western Australia, for a raw and eye-opening conversation about the mental health crisis quietly affecting men across Australia.

They cover the alarming suicide statistics (7 men die every day in Australia), the role isolation, divorce and job loss play as warning signs, why tradies are 9 times more likely to die by suicide than from a workplace accident, and how Men's Talk is doing things differently with non-clinical drop-in centres, free mentoring programs and their one-of-a-kind mobile outreach van "Monty the Man Van."

Whether you're a bloke who's been disconnecting without realising it, or someone who wants to know how to check in on a mate, this one's for you.

Follow Hypotential:

Website: https://www.hypotential.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HypotentialCo

Follow Kane:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneTylerSmithWA

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith

Connect with Men's Talk:

Website: https://www.mtalk.com.au/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mens_talk_au/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MensTalkAU

]]>In this episode, Kane sits down with Jevyn from Men's Talk, a men's health promotion charity based in Western Australia, for a raw and eye-opening conversation about the mental health crisis quietly affecting men across Australia.

They cover the alarming suicide statistics (7 men die every day in Australia), the role isolation, divorce and job loss play as warning signs, why tradies are 9 times more likely to die by suicide than from a workplace accident, and how Men's Talk is doing things differently with non-clinical drop-in centres, free mentoring programs and their one-of-a-kind mobile outreach van "Monty the Man Van."

Whether you're a bloke who's been disconnecting without realising it, or someone who wants to know how to check in on a mate, this one's for you.

Follow Hypotential:

Website: https://www.hypotential.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypotential_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HypotentialCo

Follow Kane:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kanetylersmith_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaneTylerSmithWA

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kanetylersmith

Connect with Men's Talk:

Website: https://www.mtalk.com.au/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mens_talk_au/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MensTalkAU

]]>1055acc3-7372-44c9-8139-94bd47983f14Thu, 04 Jun 2026 08:30:00 +080001:00:47falsefull66What Two Years in Business as a Chippy Taught Me About Growing a Trade CompanyWhat Two Years in Business as a Chippy Taught Me About Growing a Trade CompanyMitch Suleau moved from Tasmania to Perth two years ago with a carpenter's ticket and nothing else. He started MBS Building Company anyway and is still figuring it out the right way.

Kane and Mitch get into what the early years of a trade business actually look like. Why you have no idea what you want until you are almost there. Why hiring a tradesman as your first employee beats bringing on an apprentice. How to find work through referrals and social media before spending on advertising. What it takes to build a reputation fast in a city where bad tradespeople can hide. And what Kane would do differently if he was starting Smartfix again from year one.

If you are in the first two to three years of running a trade business and figuring it out as you go, this episode is worth your time.

hypotential.com

Perth, Western Australia

Mitch Suleau

MBS Building Company

Mitch Suleau is the founder of MBS Building Company, a Perth-based carpentry and outdoor living business specialising in decking, pergolas, patios, and renovations. Two years in, building the right way with a growing team and a builders ticket on the way.

mbsbuildingcompany.com

facebook.com/mbsbuildingcompany

instagram.com/mbsbuildingcompany

]]>Mitch Suleau moved from Tasmania to Perth two years ago with a carpenter's ticket and nothing else. He started MBS Building Company anyway and is still figuring it out the right way.

Kane and Mitch get into what the early years of a trade business actually look like. Why you have no idea what you want until you are almost there. Why hiring a tradesman as your first employee beats bringing on an apprentice. How to find work through referrals and social media before spending on advertising. What it takes to build a reputation fast in a city where bad tradespeople can hide. And what Kane would do differently if he was starting Smartfix again from year one.

If you are in the first two to three years of running a trade business and figuring it out as you go, this episode is worth your time.

hypotential.com

Perth, Western Australia

Mitch Suleau

MBS Building Company

Mitch Suleau is the founder of MBS Building Company, a Perth-based carpentry and outdoor living business specialising in decking, pergolas, patios, and renovations. Two years in, building the right way with a growing team and a builders ticket on the way.

mbsbuildingcompany.com

facebook.com/mbsbuildingcompany

instagram.com/mbsbuildingcompany

]]>36c6e701-bafd-498a-8b91-a3a4dadaacc9Thu, 28 May 2026 16:30:00 +080058:25falsefull55Getting the Phone to Ring When Work Dries UpGetting the Phone to Ring When Work Dries UpSteve started E-Maintain two years ago with zero residential experience. He is still on the tools, has three staff, and is building something the right way without burning through a Google ads budget to do it.

Kane and Steve cover the real story of starting a small electrical business in Perth with no residential background and figuring it out on the fly. They get into hiring your first apprentice vs your first sparky and why most people get that wrong, how to build consistent work through property managers and commercial relationships instead of chasing leads, why a VA might be your best early hire, and how to get the phones ringing without blowing your budget on advertising.

If you are in the first few years of running a trade business and trying to figure out how to get consistent work without it costing you everything, this one is for you.

hypotential.com

Perth, Western Australia

About Our Guest

Steve is the owner of E-Maintain, a Perth-based electrical business specialising in residential maintenance, property manager work, and commercial service. Two years in, still on the tools, and building a business the right way from the ground up.

]]>Steve started E-Maintain two years ago with zero residential experience. He is still on the tools, has three staff, and is building something the right way without burning through a Google ads budget to do it.

Kane and Steve cover the real story of starting a small electrical business in Perth with no residential background and figuring it out on the fly. They get into hiring your first apprentice vs your first sparky and why most people get that wrong, how to build consistent work through property managers and commercial relationships instead of chasing leads, why a VA might be your best early hire, and how to get the phones ringing without blowing your budget on advertising.

If you are in the first few years of running a trade business and trying to figure out how to get consistent work without it costing you everything, this one is for you.

hypotential.com

Perth, Western Australia

About Our Guest

Steve is the owner of E-Maintain, a Perth-based electrical business specialising in residential maintenance, property manager work, and commercial service. Two years in, still on the tools, and building a business the right way from the ground up.

]]>fb607717-bc78-4ae7-b0a6-4b1582fc4b2eThu, 21 May 2026 16:30:00 +080054:32falsefull44Why Hiring More Staff Does Not Fix a Trade BusinessWhy Hiring More Staff Does Not Fix a Trade BusinessMost trade business owners think hiring more people will fix their problems. It does not. It exposes them. And the cost of getting it wrong is bigger than most realise.

Kane Tyler Smith and Anthony Lawler from Nimbus Tech break down what actually happens when a trade business grows without the right processes and structure in place. This is a conversation about the chaos phase of scaling, why profit drops as revenue grows, and what needs to be sorted before you even think about hiring your next person.

If your business feels like it runs through you and only you, this episode is why.

hypotential.com

Perth, Western Australia

About Our Guest

Anthony Lawler is the owner of Nimbus Tech, a WA-based IT services and consulting business supporting trade and service companies with systems, infrastructure, and technology.

linkedin.com/in/anthony-lawlor-67155496

anthony@nimbustech.cloud

]]>Most trade business owners think hiring more people will fix their problems. It does not. It exposes them. And the cost of getting it wrong is bigger than most realise.

Kane Tyler Smith and Anthony Lawler from Nimbus Tech break down what actually happens when a trade business grows without the right processes and structure in place. This is a conversation about the chaos phase of scaling, why profit drops as revenue grows, and what needs to be sorted before you even think about hiring your next person.

If your business feels like it runs through you and only you, this episode is why.

hypotential.com

Perth, Western Australia

About Our Guest

Anthony Lawler is the owner of Nimbus Tech, a WA-based IT services and consulting business supporting trade and service companies with systems, infrastructure, and technology.

linkedin.com/in/anthony-lawlor-67155496

anthony@nimbustech.cloud

]]>7cf1202e-0148-49fa-9285-9a6e6455b1f3Thu, 14 May 2026 16:30:00 +080053:21falsefull33What Your Apprenticeship Never Told You About Running a Trade BusinessWhat Your Apprenticeship Never Told You About Running a Trade BusinessKane Tyler Smith started Smartfix in 2018 with one ute and zero business training. It grew to 140 staff and $30 million before a near-miss that almost took everything.

In this episode, Kane and Aisha break down the real story behind building Smartfix from the ground up. How they handled Google reviews from day one, why staff retention was always a core value, what scaling too fast actually looks like from the inside, and why trade business coaching in Perth barely existed when they needed it most.

If you are running a trade business in Australia and want real talk from someone still in it, this is where to start.

https://www.hypotential.com

Perth, Western Australia

About Our Guest:

Aisha Derrick is the Marketing and Brand Manager at Smartfix and co-founder of Hypotential. Her perspective comes from being inside real trade businesses and seeing firsthand the gap between technical skill and business capability, and what it actually takes to close it.

]]>Kane Tyler Smith started Smartfix in 2018 with one ute and zero business training. It grew to 140 staff and $30 million before a near-miss that almost took everything.

In this episode, Kane and Aisha break down the real story behind building Smartfix from the ground up. How they handled Google reviews from day one, why staff retention was always a core value, what scaling too fast actually looks like from the inside, and why trade business coaching in Perth barely existed when they needed it most.

If you are running a trade business in Australia and want real talk from someone still in it, this is where to start.

https://www.hypotential.com

Perth, Western Australia

About Our Guest:

Aisha Derrick is the Marketing and Brand Manager at Smartfix and co-founder of Hypotential. Her perspective comes from being inside real trade businesses and seeing firsthand the gap between technical skill and business capability, and what it actually takes to close it.

]]>a58258de-d556-404b-b79e-4b2ecb898eb2Thu, 07 May 2026 16:30:00 +080042:37falsefull22From One Ute to $30million. Who Is Kane Tyler Smith?From One Ute to $30million. Who Is Kane Tyler Smith?Kane Tyler Smith built Smartfix from one ute in 2018 to over $30 million a year and 130 staff. What most people never saw was how messy that actually was.

This is the intro episode of Unlocking Business: Hypotential. Kane breaks down who he is, why he built Hypotential, and the gap he kept seeing in the trade industry. Most tradies are excellent at their trade. Nobody teaches them how to run a business. That is what this podcast is here to fix. Real conversations, real operators, real situations from inside a trade business.

If your business relies on you too much, things feel harder than they should, and the numbers are not adding up; this is where to start.

hypotential.com

Perth, Western Australia

]]>Kane Tyler Smith built Smartfix from one ute in 2018 to over $30 million a year and 130 staff. What most people never saw was how messy that actually was.

This is the intro episode of Unlocking Business: Hypotential. Kane breaks down who he is, why he built Hypotential, and the gap he kept seeing in the trade industry. Most tradies are excellent at their trade. Nobody teaches them how to run a business. That is what this podcast is here to fix. Real conversations, real operators, real situations from inside a trade business.

If your business relies on you too much, things feel harder than they should, and the numbers are not adding up; this is where to start.

hypotential.com

Perth, Western Australia

]]>6a763a1e-6aa4-4063-bd43-27aff168b178Thu, 07 May 2026 07:45:00 +080002:35falsetrailer11