The Puzzle Factory: Real Talk for NZ Electricians and Trade Businesses

Mikey Smith from Guardian Smith joins The Puzzle Factory for one of the realest conversations we’ve had yet.From growing up around mechanics and rental cars to building a finance business with nearly 50 staff, Mikey breaks down the brutal realities of business, trades, property investing, recession fears, and what’s really happening in New Zealand right now.We get into:• Why trades have been undervalued for decades• The harsh truth about starting your own business• NZ’s property market and whether housing is still worth investing in• Recession fears and the current economy• War, oil prices, inflation and what it means for Kiwis• Why most people fail in business• Customer service lessons from dealing with chaos• The mental pressure of growing a company• Why “working on the business” changes everything• Townhouses, regulation and the future of NZ housing• Why there’s always opportunity somewhereThis one goes deep into entrepreneurship, mindset, financial pressure, trades, politics, and modern New Zealand culture.Powered by NZ Trade Group.

This bonus episode of The Puzzle Factory features a conversation with Braeden from Voltsy, exploring one of the most unique career paths in the electrical industry.Braeden shares stories from his upbringing, including how he would approach builders directly on the street to find work and get his foot in the door. We dive into his time working with advanced technology in Sweden and the highly structured culture that he describes as almost cult like.We talk about the early development of Voltsy, the mindset behind building a brand that stands out in the New Zealand electrical space, and what the future holds for the company as the industry continues to evolve.A genuine and insightful conversation for any electrician or trade business owner looking for inspiration and fresh ideas.The Puzzle Factory Real Talk for NZ Electricians and Trade Businesses.

This episode of The Puzzle Factory is a must-listen for any tradie wanting to grow their business in the digital age. We sit down with Stanley Henry, founder of The Attention Seeker, to unpack his journey and get his raw take on what tradies are getting wrong (and right) when it comes to marketing.Stan breaks down what he would do if he owned a trade business today — including exactly how he’d build a social presence, why most flyers are a waste of time, and what kind of content actually gets results.We also dive into the difference between sales and marketing, and we literally prove the power of word-of-mouth networking live on the pod — this one’s full of gems and practical advice.https://www.theattentionseeker.com/

In this episode of The Puzzle Factory with Annamalai “Andy” Alagappan from Yarns with Andy, we cover:🔨 The real state of the NZ construction industry right now – no sugar-coating📈 Our bold predictions for when the industry will bounce back (and the bet we made!)🤖 How AI tools are set to disrupt construction & trades – and which ones you should be watching🎯 What trade businesses can do right now to stay ahead of the curve😂 Plenty of laughs and straight-talking insights from two industry lifers👉 If you want to know when the market will turn and how to future-proof your business, this one’s a must-listen.https://www.linkedin.com/in/annamalai-andy-alagappan-b3b50a17/www.nztradegroup.co.nz

👉 "HRD Global 100 Top HR Executive Sonya Bloomfield shares game‑changing tips to fix your trade business culture – and keep your best people 💡⚡"In this episode of The Puzzle Factory, we’re joined by Sonya Bloomfield, a HRD Global 100 Top HR Executive and now Director at Soul Power Electrical Ltd, to share practical tips you can use today to improve your trade business culture.With an award‑winning background leading HR and culture at a global level, Sonya brings a fresh perspective to the trades industry. She’s now using that expertise to help build one of New Zealand’s most people‑focused electrical companies.We cover:🧠 Practical steps to transform workplace culture in trades businesses💼 How strong culture drives better recruitment, retention, and performance⚡ Lessons from global HR leadership now applied to NZ trades🤝 Building engaged teams who want to stick around and do their best workWhether you’re an electrician, builder, or business owner, Sonya’s insights will help you boost morale, improve staff retention, and create a culture that supports growth.https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonyabloomfield/https://soulpower.co.nz/

In this episode of The Puzzle Factory, Andrew Murphy, Director of Planet Electrical, shares how his lifelong passion for renewable energy 🌱 and sustainability shaped both his career and his business. Andrew talks about growing Planet Electrical into a thriving NZ electrical and HVAC company while staying true to his mission of helping Kiwis reduce their environmental impact.We dive into:🌞 How Andrew built Planet Electrical with a focus on renewable energy👷‍♂️ The realities of going from electrician to full-time business owner🤝 Strategies for building and retaining a motivated team🌍 Practical ways trade businesses can support a greener futureIf you’re interested in renewable energy, running a successful electrical business, or making a positive impact while you grow, this episode is packed with valuable insights.www.planetelectrical.co.nzwww.nztradegroup.co.nz

Jeremy Foster started in the trenches - knocking on doors, selling direct to homeowners. From those humble beginnings, he helped grow HRV into a household Kiwi brand, and today he’s the General Manager of Fujitsu General NZ, leading one of the country’s biggest HVAC players.In this episode of The Puzzle Factory, Jeremy takes us through:His incredible rise from door-to-door sales to executive leadershipThe behind-the-scenes story of scaling HRV into a national successHis 10 proven steps to convert every in-home saleWhy great sales is about discipline, empathy, and systemsWhat it takes to lead and grow a brand like Fujitsu in today’s market🔥 Packed with real advice for tradies, salespeople, and business owners — this is a masterclass in career growth and closing deals.https://nztradegroup.co.nz/contact-us/

He went viral for skulling the worst booze on Facebook. Now he’s a professional gambler, personal brand powerhouse, and sharp operator in the digital game. In this episode of The Puzzle Factory, Alex sits down with Matt Jordan — the man behind SPM — to unpack how he built a cult following, monetised chaos, and stepped away from full-time work in his early 30s.🎯 How SPM became a nationwide brand🎯 Building a loyal audience by being unapologetically real🎯 Transitioning from entertainment to professional betting🎯 Why Matt values connection over clout🎯 Lessons on brand-building, risk-taking, and backing yourselfWhether you’re a tradie, content creator, or business owner — this one is packed with raw insight, laughs, and ideas that just might change how you show up online.https://mattjordan.co.nz/https://www.youtube.com/@mattjordanspmhttps://nztradegroup.co.nz/contact-us/

We made it! In this season finale of The Puzzle Factory, Tait and I look back on an incredible first season—nearly 8,000 listens and views across platforms! We dive into the steep learning curve of launching a podcast, share what we’ve learned along the way, and, most importantly, thank all of you—our listeners and amazing guests.As a special thank you, we’re giving away 2x Mayhem Fishing Lures to the first two comments on Spotify or YouTube!Tune in for our Season 1 wrap-up, and get ready for even bigger things ahead in Season 2.🎣 Want to win? Drop a comment now!podcast@nztradegroup.co.nz

Episode 8: How to Quote an Electrical Job with Alex HulmePricing electrical work isn’t just about throwing out a number—it’s about accuracy, profitability, and making sure you’re not selling yourself short. In this episode, host Alex Hulme gives a candid, no-nonsense take on how he approaches quoting, packed with practical advice you can put into action straight away.What You’ll Learn :⚡ What information you need📋 Getting material pricing from the suppliers💡 How to structure a quote🔍 Tips and tricks so you don't make the same mistakes I haveThis episode is full of gems that will help you refine your quoting process, charge what you're worth, and ultimately, grow your business.About the Host:With 20 years in the electrical industry, Alex Hulme has worked as an electrician, project manager, estimator, and even as the director of a successful electrical business. He knows first-hand the challenges of pricing jobs effectively and shares real-world strategies to help tradies quote smarter and win more work.www.nztradegroup.co.nz🎧 Tune in now and level up your quoting game!#ThePuzzleFactory #NZElectrician #ElectricalQuotes #TradeBusiness #SparkyLife

The Puzzle Factory - Episode 6Guest: Ronnie Tan – CreditworksEpisode Summary: In business, trust is everything—but how do you know if a customer is actually good for it? This week, Alex sits down with Ronnie Tan from Creditworks, a commercial credit expert who helps businesses navigate financial transparency, avoid bad debts, and stay ahead of financial risks.But it’s not just about numbers—this episode takes an unexpected detour into deep-sea cod 🐟, uncovering the untapped potential of New Zealand’s natural economy. From business credit to the deep ocean, this one’s packed with insights, unexpected twists, and a few good laughs.But that’s not all—somehow, this episode takes a big detour into deep sea cod 🐟 and the untapped potential of New Zealand’s natural assets. From the depths of the ocean to the depths of the balance sheet, this one is packed with insights, unexpected twists, and a few good laughs along the way.What’s Inside?🔹 How to vet your customers before they cost you money🔹 Why business transparency = business success🔹 The credit risks most NZ businesses overlook🔹 A deep dive (literally) into New Zealand’s oceans and natural economy🔹 The unexpected connection between business finance and deep sea fishingAbout Ronnie: Ronnie is the guy you want on your side before things go wrong—a no-BS commercial credit expert helping businesses navigate financial risks and credit transparency. With years of experience in construction and trade, he knows exactly where businesses trip up—and how to avoid it.Website: ⁠Creditworks⁠Got Feedback or Want to Be on the Show?📩 Hit us up at podcast@nztradegroup.co.nz💡 Like what you hear? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this!

The Puzzle Factory - Episode 4Guest: Matt Melville - Rum and Que Episode Summary:In this episode, we catch up with Matt Melville, the founder ofRum and Que.Matt and Alex talk about his journey emigrating from Australia, working as a sparky, to starting a BBQ comp team, and finally turning his passion into a full-time business. Now,Rum and Que is a huge success, and Matt’s story is all about following your passion and making it happen. We also share a few laughs and reminisce on some mischief from our past—after all, we’ve been mates for years!About Matt Melville:Matt Melville is the founder ofRum and Que, a popular BBQ brand in NZ. Originally from Australia, Matt moved to NZ, worked as an electrician, and eventually found his love for BBQ. After starting a BBQ competition team, he turned that passion into a business. Today,Rum and Que is one of NZ's most loved BBQ brands, and Matt’s journey is a true inspiration. Want to know more about Rum and Que?www.rumandque.comDiscount Code for 10% of atwww.rumandque.com - NZTG10InstagramFacebookTik Tok

The Puzzle Factory - Episode [2]Guest: Craig Heaton - The 1st member to join NZ Trade Group Episode Summary:In this episode of The Puzzle Factory, Alex sits down with Craig Heaton of Heaton Electrical, the 1st official member of NZ Trade Group. We talk about the up's and downs of running an electrical business over the years, the mental health challenges that it can bring and we have a bloody good laugh. About Craig:Craig is the owner of Heaton Electrical and has been with us since the very beginning, he has some great insight into the industry and the challenges we face on a day to day basis. Craig is a real character and a pleasure to chat to. Want to get in touch and give us your feedback or be a guest on the show? Get in touch at :podcast@nztradegroup.co.nz