✅ Special Xero offer: Get 90% off for 6 months using this link: www.xero.com/tradelegends Terms & Conditions apply.*In this episode of the Trade Legends Podcast, Mark and Alex sit down for a full 2025 roundup, reflecting on the standout episodes, guests and moments from the past year. From recording over 30 podcasts to juggling guest schedules, last-minute cancellations and filming around real life, they break down what really goes on behind the scenes of running one of the UK’s leading trade podcasts. The conversation revisits some of the year's most memorable guests, featuring emotional, hard-hitting stories that resonated with listeners and became among the most-watched and listened-to episodes across YouTube and Spotify.The episode also dives into the bigger issues affecting tradespeople today, including tool theft, social media’s growing influence in the trades, and how conversations from the podcast have even led to Parliament and national discussions. Mark and Alex share why niche trades, real stories and honest conversations matter more than chasing big names, while also looking ahead to what’s coming in 2026. If you’re a tradesperson, small business owner, or someone interested in the realities of trade life, podcasting and the evolving construction industry, this episode is a must-watch.

Luke (Blue Bulldog Plumbing) is back on the podcast for the first time in two years, and this conversation goes exactly where you’d expect when you put a working plumber, content creator, and brand collaborator in the same room with zero filters. We talk honestly about what it’s really like to grow on social media in the trades, the pressure to take brand deals, and why credibility matters more than quick money. Luke opens up about turning down offers, getting threatened by companies for sharing real-world experiences, and why showing jobs going wrong is more valuable than polished highlight reels. We also get into the realities of on-site filming, dealing with negative comments, imposter syndrome, awards, and how social media has changed the way he approaches his work. This episode is raw, practical, and unapologetically honest for anyone in the trades, on social media, or thinking about mixing the two.#plumbing #mjtiffplumbing #bluebulldogplumbing #plumbingtips

In this episode of the Trade Legends podcast, Alex sits down with Sean, founder of Monster Rigs, to unpack the real story behind building a trades brand from the ground up. From starting out on the tools at 16 to navigating recessions, cashflow pressure, product failures, and relentless reinvestment, this is an unfiltered conversation about what it actually takes to build a business in the construction industry.Sean opens up about his journey through carpentry, the post-2008 construction crash in Ireland, and how those brutal years shaped his mindset as an entrepreneur. The discussion dives deep into product development, manufacturing costs, sampling, branding mistakes, social media growth, and why most people massively underestimate the time, money, and sacrifice required to launch a physical product brand. This episode pulls no punches on the reality of working long nights, reinvesting every penny, and still staying on the tools while trying to grow a company.The conversation also tackles bigger topics affecting trades and small business owners today, including apprenticeships, influencer culture in construction, brand loyalty, government policy, taxation, recession fears, and why chasing quick money almost always ends badly. Sean explains why lt Monster Rigs, not followers.#Tradesman #SmallBusiness #tradelegends #toolbelts