It’s not often a successful trade business owner shares their top 3 lessons on business and WHY they are so important with other tradies. Other competition.
Well, that’s EXACTLY what Justin Morris from Precision Electrical and Plumbing in Victoria has done.
As a VIP Platinum member with Lifestyle Tradie, we had the opportunity to ask the ‘nitty-gritty’, ‘behind the scenes’, share your ‘secrets’ questions that perhaps Justin wouldn’t share with others.
But, he did with us…. 🙂
That said, let us introduce you to Justin… (and his top secret replies….keep reading to discover the gold!)
~START INTERVIEW~
- Tell us a little about your situation, business and family etc
I completed my 4year electrical apprenticeship in a little country town then moved to South Yarra to work for 2 brothers who had an electrical and plumbing business. I found myself helping with the plumbing. 13years later I completed my plumbing licence.
In 2004 I found myself at cross roads. I quit my job and started Precision Electrical and Plumbing (named after a Colgate toothbrush that was at Sharon’s work being a dental nurse).
In 2011 I thought there had to be a better way to run a trade business. After 2 years working with a general business coach, there was still no real change just a shrinking bank balance.
When searching online in 2013 I discovered a testimonial from Todd Lovelock about Lifestyle Tradie, the rest is history. Stoked to have found them!
Sharon and I are blessed with 4 beautiful kids, jade 14, Charli-rose 11, Aiden and Eli 6
- What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in the last 12months?
Lack of motivation hit me hard at the start of the year due to chronic lower back pain that wouldn’t go away. I could not be bothered to go to work or grow the business to the next level. I was only answering the phone as I felt I had an obligation to my staff to keep them busy to earn money.
- How have you tackled that challenge? How do you feel about it?
I believe tomorrow brings a brighter day, plus I surround myself with positive people. None of my friends run a business or understand the burden it can bring so making sure I stay well connected to Lifestyle Tradie is always at the top of my calendar; attending every Boot Camp and catch up.
I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone in LTG for all the positive comments and support. I’m so grateful to be part of such a great group of people who actually look out for each other. It means the world to me.
- How have you and your business changed since joining Lifestyle Tradie Group (LTG)?
The past 2 years have seen me streamline the job process having adopted cloud accounting and a job management tool. Marketing and understanding my P&L was always taboo; now it’s something I understand and am actively reviewing.
I’m so much more focused and having the member’s site to download templates, procedures and watch how to videos has done wonders for the business. I don’t have to figure it all out on my own. There is nothing more motivating knowing there are others that have the same struggles as me and have come out the other side bigger and better. This doesn’t happen talking to tradies at the wholesaler.
LTG is am important part of my business success seeing Sharon has nothing to do with the business (her choice). Business is a lonely place therefore it’s important to have switched on tradie peers to bounce ideas around and stay motivated.
- Where do you see your business in 5 years?
5 years will see us with 4-5 trucks on the road, me off the tools and 1 person in the office. A solid foundation and systems will allow me to disappear on family holidays discovering Australia in our 4WD for 6-8weeks whilst earning profit. Our goal in 2 years is to spend 6 weeks in the Kimberly’s.
Pursing my charitable work in India helping to build toilets in schools. The smiles on the kids motivate me to do better here so I can help them there.
- What are the top things you have learnt about business that you would recommend to others and WHY?
DONE IS BETTER THEN PERFECT. Being a business owner we want everything to be perfect. In the end nothing gets finished. This has held me back especially in the marketing and branding area.
90 DAY PLAN. Life is busy and without focus and a plan I’ve found myself going around in circles. Being able to tick off the tasks is a great way to stay motivated and feel like you’ve accomplished something.
BE THE SMALLEST FISH IN THE BIG POND. I’ve read that you are the sum of 5 of your closet friends. To grow you need to get out of the pond where everyone is the same and into one that inspires, motivates and helps you expand your beliefs and vision. Stop listening to the negative people in your life.
- Favourite tool and why?
Is the internet a tool? If it is, that’s mine. It has freed up more time and helped me more than any other tool I have. Plus I found Lifestyle Tradie on it!
- Tell us something quirky about yourself that your buddies don’t know?
I can’t have my arm, leg or foot overhang the side of the bed. Watched a horror movie when I was about 8 and I still haven’t gotten over it.
- Who would you most like to have lunch with and why?
Bear Grylls.
Love the motivation he has to fulfil his dreams and live life to the fullest. The stand out episode was when he crushed several vertebra in a parachute accident then 18mths later climbed MT Everest, all by the age of 23.
~END INTERVIEW ~
Did you get it? Question 6? go back and read it now….. If you want a fabulous trade business then do THIS –
Apply ONLY the 3 things Justin has recommended to you, as a trade business owner.
Would love to hear your thoughts… tell us how you’ve applied Justin’s top 3 lessons BELOW.
He’s a pretty amazing guy.… having not only shared some great insights on business (thanks Justin), Justin recently won a $15,000 grant with Reece for his submission to improve India’s complex sanitation issues.
For his project, Justin partnered with the We Can’t Wait Foundation and putting the money towards the construction of toilet facilities and sanitation education in schools in Nasik, India.
Check out his experience below – what an inspiration!
Great work Reece for helping to make this happen!
You can find out more about the Reece Grant by clicking on this link.
What’s next?
- Join our Kick-Ass Tradies Facebook Group, for access to trade business specific conversations, tips and resources, plus a like-minded community of tradies.
- Book a 15-minute Game Plan Call with Andy, owner of Dr. DRiP plumbing and co-founder of Lifestyle Tradie, to clarify your priorities and get clear action steps.
