Here you’ll find a list of the top resources I recommend to learn more about starting and running your own business.
Books
The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber
This book provides valuable insights on how to approach business ownership, including tips on systems, processes, and avoiding common pitfalls.
The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses” by Eric Ries
While not specific to plumbing, this book offers a methodology for building successful businesses by focusing on customer feedback and rapid iteration.
Markup & Profit: A Contractor’s Guide by Michael C. Stone
This guide is tailored for contractors, including plumbers, and covers essential topics like pricing, estimating, and managing a profitable business.
Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine by Mike Michalowicz
This book introduces a cash management system that helps businesses become more profitable by prioritising your finances differently.
The Small Business Start-Up Workbook: A Step-by-step Guide to Starting the Business You’ve Dreamed of by Cheryl D. Rickman
Tailored for the UK, this workbook offers practical advice on starting a new business, including sections that would be relevant to plumbing
1-Page Marketing Plan: Get New Customers, Make More Money, And Stand out From The Crowd
Serial entrepreneur Allan Dib reveals a marketing implementation breakthrough that makes creating a marketing plan simple and fast. It’s literally a single page, divided up into nine squares. With it, you’ll be able to map out your own sophisticated marketing plan and go from zero to marketing hero.
Courses
Learn with Skillshare
Skillshare is a platform that offers thousands of easy to understand courses – with everything from productivity to film and video – some of the key skills you’ll need as a new business owner.
Podcasts – Business
“The Tim Ferriss Show”
- Tim Ferriss delves into the tactics, routines, and habits of world-class performers, spanning a wide range of areas, including business and entrepreneurship, which can provide valuable mindset and productivity tips.
“How I Built This with Guy Raz” (NPR)
- This podcast offers stories behind some of the most successful entrepreneurs around the world, providing inspiration and practical advice on building and growing a business
“The Entrepreneurs Network”
- Focusing on the UK business scene, this podcast provides insights and advice for entrepreneurs in the UK, including those in the trades and services sectors.
“Screw It, Just Do It” by Alex Chisnall
- This is a UK-based podcast where Alex interviews successful entrepreneurs, providing actionable advice and inspirational stories to help you grow your business.
“Toolbox Talk Show” by The Site Shed
- Aimed at tradespeople, including plumbers, this podcast covers everything from managing a trade business to marketing and operations.
“The GaryVee Audio Experience”
- Hosted by entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk, this podcast covers marketing, social media, and entrepreneurship, offering bold and upfront advice on building a business in today’s digital age.
“Pioneers of Good”
- This UK-based podcast focuses on stories of entrepreneurs who have built businesses with a positive impact, which can be inspirational and offer great lessons on business ethics and corporate responsibility.
“The Smart Passive Income Online Business and Blogging Podcast” by Pat Flynn
- While it focuses on online business and blogging, the insights on passive income streams can be applied to any business model, including plumbing.
“Marketing School” by Neil Patel and Eric Siu
- Excellent for plumbing entrepreneurs who want to learn more about digital marketing and how to apply different marketing strategies to their business.
“Trade Talk Podcast”
- Although more general, this podcast often covers topics relevant to plumbers and other tradespeople, offering business insights and industry discussions.
“The Construction Leading Edge” by Todd Dawalt
- Tailored for construction business owners and leaders, this podcast provides strategies and tips to tackle common business challenges in the construction industry
Before diving into any podcast, it’s good practice to check the latest episodes or look for specific episodes that align with your current learning objectives. Podcasts are a great way to absorb knowledge passively, whether you’re on the job site or commuting.
Podcasts – Tradespeople
There are several podcasts out there that cater to tradespeople, offering a mix of advice on business, craftsmanship, and industry news. Here is a curated list of highly rated and recommended podcasts that would be beneficial to tradespeople, including plumbers, electricians, carpenters, and builders:
Behind the Tools” by Tradify
- This podcast is all about helping tradespeople, from builders to electricians, get to grips with the ins and outs of running a trade business. They cover everything from quotes to cash flow, marketing to mental
“The Site Shed”
- A podcast designed for trade-based business owners around the globe, focusing on topics such as business management, marketing, and sales
“Toolbox Talk Show” by The Site Shed
- This podcast is an extension of The Site Shed podcast, offering more insights and discussions geared towards helping tradespeople grow their business and improve their practices.
“The Construction Leading Edge” by Todd Dawalt
- Aimed at construction business owners and leaders, this podcast covers topics like leadership, business strategies, and how to tackle common industry challenges.
“HVAC School”
- This podcast is specifically for those in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) industry, providing education on technical aspects, tools, and best practices.
“The Six Figure Tradesman” by John White
- Hosted by a successful tradesman, this podcast aims to help others in the trade industry build a business that can break the six-figure barrier.
“Trench Talk” by Matt Reynolds
- This podcast features interviews with tradespeople and other blue-collar business owners to discuss the reality of the work and the lessons learned along the way.
“Trade Talk Podcast”
- While the podcast has a broader approach, it often features topics relevant to tradespeople, including business insights, industry discussions, and trade-specific advice.
“Trades Academy”
- A podcast aimed at helping tradespeople advance their skills, learn about new technologies, and improve their business acumen.
“Ask the Builder” by Tim Carter
- Hosted by a seasoned builder, this podcast offers DIY tips, construction and renovation advice, and professional insights into the building trade.