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the Trade Traction Podcast with Dennis The ApprenticeAuthor: Dennis The Apprentice
Personal stories, motivation, and advice from successful tradespeople to help the next generation of apprentices find success in any trade. Language: en-us Genres: Education, Self-Improvement Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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How I Stopped Working for Free and How You Can Too.
Monday, 15 December, 2025
Send us a textToo many plumbing contractors are busy, stressed, and broke — working harder every year but still not turning a profit.In this episode of the Trade Traction Podcast, Dennis shares the hard-earned truth he wishes someone had told him 15 years earlier: 👉 Trying to figure out your business alone will cost you years, burnout, and money.Dennis breaks down:Why DIY-ing your business is the fastest way to stay stuckWhat actually changed when his company finally became profitableHow coaches, associations, and other contractors helped him avoid financial collapseThe real reason most trades businesses are “busy but broke”Why profit always comes before fun, freedom, and growthThis episode is for plumbing and heating contractors who are tired of working for free and want a clearer, faster path to building a profitable, sustainable trades business.If you’re grinding, stressed about payroll, afraid to change pricing, or feel like you’re carrying the whole company alone — this conversation was made for you.🎯 On the other side of profit… is fun. Let’s get you there.⏱️ YouTube Chapters (Suggested)00:00 – The Hard Truth I Wish I Knew 15 Years Ago Trying to figure it out alone almost cost everything.02:45 – Busy, Stressed, and Still Broke Why most plumbing contractors hide how close they are to the edge.06:20 – The Holiday Stress No One Talks About Bonuses, payroll, supplier bills, and pretending everything is “fine.”10:10 – Why DIY Business Thinking Fails Contractors We hate DIY customers… but we run our businesses the same way.14:30 – The Fatal Mistake: Doing It Alone Why isolation keeps contractors stuck and broke.19:40 – Associations, Coaches, and the Help I Ignored PHCC, Nexstar, and the help that was always there.26:15 – The Florida Trip That Changed Everything Maxed-out credit cards, fear, and finally seeing a path forward.31:50 – “It’s Not One Thing… It’s Enough Things” The mindset shift that unlocked real progress.38:40 – The Million-Dollar Dinner Conversation How one peer meeting exposed a massive hidden problem.45:30 – Why Change Feels So Scary When You’re Barely Surviving Fear of losing employees, payroll stress, and paralysis.51:40 – Why Every Contractor Needs a Coach Someone who’s been there and knows what comes next.58:20 – Profit Comes Before Fun Why you can’t skip profitability — and what’s possible after.1:03:30 – Stop Working for Free (The Real Meaning) Why doing everything “right” still leads to nothing left at the end.1:08:45 – Final Message to Struggling Contractors You don’t have to do this alone.The Podcast that helps plumbing and heating service contractors stop working for free and actually turn a profit. Connect with me on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dennistheapprentice/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064205912242 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dennistheapprentice Thank you once again for your support and don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with your peers! Stay tuned for more exciting content coming your way every week.
