The Site Shed | Systems, Strategy and Growth for Tradies and Contractors
The Site Shed is a global podcast for tradies and contractors who want clearer systems, stronger strategy, and steadier business growth. Each episode is designed to educate and inform around the topics that matter most in running and scaling a modern trade business.
Hosted by former plumber and digital agency owner Matt Jones, the podcast dives into real-world conversations on marketing, operations, apprenticeships, technology, hiring, leadership, finance, and more, all tailored to the trades and construction industry.
You’ll hear practical insights, honest lessons, and expert perspectives from across the globe.
Whether you work as a tradie, contractor, builder, electrician, landscaper, or run any service-based business, you’ll find ideas and experiences you can put into action straight away.
If you're ready to work smarter, not harder, The Site Shed gives you the tools, frameworks, and viewpoints to help your business move forward with confidence.
The Site Shed | Systems, Strategy and Growth for Tradies and Contractors
You Don't Know Your Numbers; That's Why You're Broke | ft. Greg McElroy & Jon Fisk | Ep. 502
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🫱🏻🫲🏼 Book a Free Strategy Call with Tradie Web Guys: https://tradie.wiki/tssyt
More jobs, more staff, more revenue; and you're still growing broke?
In Part 2 of our CrystalLIQ series, Matt sits down with Greg and John to expose why scaling without financial systems is the fastest way to destroy your trade business. Learn why your P&L is the only scoreboard that matters, how to spot the traps before they bankrupt you, and the accountability framework that separates profitable tradies from busy ones.
KEY CHAPTERS
00:00 - Introduction
01:57 - Growth Traps and the Scaling Dilemma
04:42 - Case Study: High Revenue vs. High Debt
07:41 - The Foundation: Accurate P&Ls
10:48 - Financial Literacy for Business Owners
14:03 - The Profit First Business Model
17:41 - Dangers of Hands-off Bookkeeping
21:02 - Building Truth in Numbers
22:31 - Hiring and Strategic Capacity
25:21 - Employee Scorecards and Outcomes
27:54 - Accountability and the Business Entity
30:34 - Example: Managing New Inquiries
32:58 - The Reality of Rapid Growth
35:22 - Key Takeaways and Margin Focus
39:02 - Adjusting Pricing During Scaling
41:22 - Strategic Outlook and Culture
42:39 - Wrap-up and Next Episode Tease
📲 Watch the video version! https://youtu.be/kEyXMAtLMg4
🎙 About Our Guest: Greg McElroy and Jon Fisk
Greg McElroy and Jon Fisk, co-founders of CrystalLIQ, have each built and sold multiple trade-based businesses. Greg learned his hardest lesson as part-owner of a $48M-revenue business that went into liquidation because nobody knew their numbers. Together they help tradies install the financial systems and accountability frameworks that prevent growth from harming a business internally.
CONNECT WITH GREG & JON
Greg's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-mcelroy-45aa90214/
Jon's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanfisk/
Website: https://www.crystalliq.com.au/
CONNECT WITH THE TRADIE WEB GUYS!
Website: https://www.tradiewebguys.com.au/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TradieWebGuysOfficial?sub_confirmation=1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TradieWebGuysOfficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tradiewebguys/
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/company/tradie-web-guys
Matt’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamthemattj/
Your Next Step:
Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies.
👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod
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- LinkedIn: Matt Jones
- Website: thesiteshed.com
- YouTube: @TheSiteShed
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