Hugh Bowman

Do you know your Gross Profit?

by
How to calculate your gross profits

As a business coach, I often get asked about gross profit – what it actually means, how to calculate it, and why it matters. A client asked me about it just this week, so I thought it was worth breaking it down here for other tradie business owners.

Gross profit is simply the money left over after subtracting the direct costs of a job – things like materials and site labour — from the total sales. For example, if a job is billed at $100 and the costs of materials and labour are $60, the gross profit is $40. That’s the amount that tells you how much money your business has earned from the job before overheads like rent, insurance, or admin costs are factored in.

It’s also useful to look at gross profit on a monthly profit & loss statement. Let’s say sales for the month are $100K, and costs of sales (materials and site labour) are $60K. That leaves a gross profit of $40K. Once you subtract fixed expenses (say $20K), your net profit is $20K. By tracking gross profit percentage — gross profit expressed as a percentage of sales — you can see more clearly whether jobs are truly profitable and how efficiently your business is running.

This is why I always encourage clients to measure gross profit percentage on every job. If you know your overheads run at 20%, then a job with 50% gross profit is a winner, while a job at 30% gross profit is a red flag. Comparing gross profit percentages helps you benchmark jobs, identify underperformers, and even measure your business against others in the industry.

Understanding gross profit isn’t about getting bogged down in accounting jargon — it’s about giving yourself clarity, confidence, and control. When you know your numbers, you can make smarter decisions that improve both your jobs and your business overall.

If you’d like help making sense of your numbers and building a stronger business, I’d be happy to talk.

Thanks
Hugh
0409 402 474

Reducing Stress for Business Owners

by
Reducing Stress for Business Owners

As a business coach, I often see owners struggling with stress – and I’ve been there myself. What I’ve learned is that while the challenges you face may not always be as big as they feel, the impact on your wellbeing, your business, and your life is very real. 

That’s why I want to share some practical ways I manage and recommend to my clients when stress starts to take over. It starts with self-care: setting clear work hours so you don’t burn out, exercising daily to clear your head, eating a healthy and balanced diet, getting 7 to 9 hours of good sleep, and taking regular breaks or holidays to recharge. 

The other big one is seeking support. Whether it’s talking with other business owners, leaning on a mentor, or speaking with a professional, you don’t have to go through stress alone. 

These simple steps have helped me and my clients reduce stress, regain balance, and perform better in business and life.

If you’re feeling the pressure, let’s talk – I’d be happy to help.

Thanks
Hugh
0409 402 474

Should Staff Be Paid by the Hour?

by

I’ve been having a lot of conversations with clients about how to structure pay for non-billable office staff – especially project managers and operations managers in trades and manufacturing businesses. A common question that keeps coming up is: Should these staff be paid by the hour? 

I’ve seen a pattern, especially with team members who’ve moved off the tools and into the office. Some of them come in with a bit of a clock watching mindset – they’re used to being paid hourly and working to rigid schedules. But once they’re in a leadership or coordination role, things need to shift. 

In my view, these roles should be based around fixed hours, say 8:30 to 5:00, but with a clear understanding that there needs to be some give and take. Maybe they’ll stay back late to finish a project, drive back from an interstate site, or set up jobs for the next day. On the flip side, they might pop out to a dentist appointment or need some flexibility from time to time. That’s all part of it. 

What’s most important is that they understand their role is no longer about punching the clock. It’s about managing their own time and being focused on results and completion. The job is to get things done whether it’s submitting a tender, finalising a schedule, or making sure the team has what they need to hit the ground running. 

But here’s the key: this needs to be communicated right from the start. When you’re hiring, when you’re onboarding, and through everyday conversations. Talk about expectations, reinforce the idea of ownership, and most importantly lead by example. 

When this kind of culture is set up well, it works beautifully. But if it’s left unclear or assumed, that’s when issues creep in. 

If you want support with setting up these expectations and building a results focused culture in your business, reach out. I’m always happy to help. 

Hugh Bowman
Business Consulting for Tradies 

You must increase your GOALS to increase your INCOME

by

The #1 Thing You Need to Increase Your Income

Lately, I’ve been working with a group of my clients to review where their net wealth sits today and how it has changed over the last couple of years. Despite flat property prices and tough market conditions, many of them have managed to grow their wealth by around 20 percent per year. That got me thinking: what sets these people apart?

It is not luck. It is not timing.
It is something much simpler and far more powerful.

The clients who are building wealth consistently are the ones who have bigger goals.

When people first come to me, they often say they want to increase their income. But when I ask about their dreams, they usually play it safe. A modest house, a small boat, a comfortable life. There is nothing wrong with that, but when I ask what they really want, the conversation starts to shift. Maybe they want to pay off their home, buy an investment property, upgrade the boat, or own a holiday house. That is when the spark returns.

From there, we map out what those dreams actually cost and what kind of income it would take to achieve them. That is when the real work begins. Once those bigger dreams are on the table, there is something meaningful to aim for. And when there is a clear goal, we can start growing the business in a focused and deliberate way to support it.

That is the real difference.
If you want to increase your income, start by dreaming bigger.

If you are not sure how to define your goals or what to do next, I would love to help.
Get in touch and let’s talk about what your future could really look like.

Hugh Bowman
0409 402 474

No Pressure = No Growth

by

In this video, I share a recent personal experience that reminded me of something we all know deep down but don’t always want to face – real growth usually comes with a bit of pressure.

Whether it’s growing your business, improving your leadership, getting fitter, or becoming a better parent, progress rarely happens when you’re comfortable. We often say we want to improve, but without the right motivation or accountability, it’s easy to stay stuck where we are.

Recently, a fellow coach challenged me to start running regular business education events. To be honest, I pushed back for months. I had every excuse under the sun – timing, logistics, school sport, you name it. But after talking it through with my coach, I realised that with a few simple adjustments, I actually could make it work. I just needed someone to push me a little.

The takeaway is this – I would never have made that shift on my own. That little bit of pressure created clarity and action.

If there’s something you want to grow in (your business, your mindset, or your personal goals) I encourage you to find a way to add that pressure. A coach, a peer group, or even a supportive partner can be exactly what helps move you forward.

And if you’re ready for that kind of support, I’d love to help. Feel free to reach out any time.

Hugh Bowman
Business Coach, ActionCOACH Geelong
0409 402 474

Investments That I Love For Tradies

by

In this video, I’m sharing the four types of investments I love for tradies who want to start putting their money to work but don’t have time to study markets all day.

Over the years, I’ve had this conversation with a lot of clients: “Where should I invest?” The truth is, unless you’re an expert in shares or finance, there are a few solid options that can set you up well without needing a degree in economics.

Here are the four I break down:

  1. Property: You already know it. You’ve worked on it. It’s a great long-term play (especially with the current housing shortage).

  2. Machinery: If you’re hiring gear all the time, owning your own and charging it out can give you strong returns, I’m talking 20%+ in some cases.

  3. Super: Not sexy, but smart. Most tradies don’t have nearly enough in their super. A good fund like Australian Super can quietly build your future in the background.

  4. Shares & ETFs: If you’re new to shares, ETFs and low-risk index options can be a safe entry point with decent long-term returns.

In the video, I walk through what kind of returns each investment might offer and more importantly, how to make sure you actually have the profit to invest in the first place.

Because that’s what I really do: I help tradies grow profitable, structured businesses so they can build real wealth, not just income.

If you’re ready to take that next step, let’s chat.

Hugh Bowman
Business Coach, ActionCOACH Geelong
0409 402 474

Why Holidays Are Great for Business – with Hugh Bowman

by

In this video, I’m sharing something a bit different – why taking holidays has become one of the best things I do for my business.

Every time I take a proper break like last week’s trip to Mt Hotham with my five boys, I come back clearer, sharper, and more energised than ever. But more than that, I always seem to learn, realise big ideas, attract unexpected leads, and return refreshed and ready to make big changes.

Here’s what I’ve noticed after years of doing this:

  • LEARN: I set myself up to learn while I’m away (yes, even if my kids have to listen to Jim Rohn in the car!)

  • REALISE: I have those lightbulb moments when I finally slow down – whether I’m on a chairlift or holding a fishing rod

  • LEADS: I get surprising leads out of nowhere (I don’t know why, but it always happens)

  • REFRESHED: I come back with energy and perspective I just can’t access when I’m stuck in the daily grind

If you’re running a business, especially as a tradie or hands-on owner, I really encourage you to plan your holidays well in advance and take more of them! They’re not time away from your business… they’re fuel for what’s next.

Take the break. You (and your business) will be better for it.

– Hugh

What Tradies Shouldn’t Do When It Comes to Investing

by

In this video, I share the top investment mistakes I sees tradies making – and how to avoid them.

With over 30 years of experience in shares, property, and business coaching, I breaks down common traps like:

• Over-investing in crypto
• Chasing penny stocks
• Picking shares outside the ASX 100–200
• Holding unbalanced portfolios
• Relying only on bull markets to make money

This isn’t financial advice – it’s smart, experience-backed insight to help tradies think more strategically about where they put their hard-earned money.

Want to make better investment decisions? Watch now or grab my book The Wealthy Tradie to learn more.

End of Financial Year Offer: 1 Month of Free Business Coaching

by

As the financial year wraps up, there’s no better time to get serious about setting your business up for a stronger, more profitable future.

In this short video, Hugh Bowman, a seasoned business coach with over three decades of experience working with tradies, explains how one month of free coaching could be the catalyst for big improvements in your business.

Whether you’re:

– Struggling to find the right team,
– Bogged down in daily tasks and can’t focus on the big picture, or
– Frustrated by inconsistent cash flow…
Hugh can help you work on the areas that really matter – from leadership to accountability, to profitability and financial confidence.

It’s a no obligation opportunity to reset, refocus, and move forward with expert support. Watch the video and reach out today to claim your free month!

Email: hugh@actioncoachgeelong.com.au

Phone: 0409 402 474

Getting Off the Tools: Build a Trades Business That Runs Without You WEBINAR

by
Hugh Bowman Webinar

Getting sick of running the whole business as well as working on the tools??? Well now it’s possible to turn that around…AND save your back in the process!

REGISTER NOW

DATE: Tuesday 3rd June 2025
TIME: 2:00 – 3:00pm AEST
WHERE: Online (Zoom)

In this free online session, tradie business coach Hugh Bowman will show you how to start getting off the tools – for good! Whether you want more time, more money, or more control, this webinar will break down the exact systems, team structures, and marketing/sales foundations that make it possible.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
– Why ‘just hiring more guys’ isn’t the answer
– What business systems you need to run smoother
– The difference between being busy and being profitable
– A real coaching pathway for trades businesses
– And how 1 on 1 coaching can help you scale without burning you out
This is for business owners in the trades sector who are serious about making a change and ready to turn their operation into a business that works without them.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
– You run a trades business
– You’re still heavily involved in quoting, admin, or on-site work
– You want more time, better systems, and a team you can trust
– You’re curious about business coaching, but want to hear what it’s really about

WHAT YOU’LL WALK AWAY WITH
– A practical framework idea to help get off the tools
– Clarity on which part of your business needs fixing first
– Access to a $500 coaching discount
– A clear understanding of how Hugh’s 1 on 1 coaching works and whether it’s right for you

Ready to Start Stepping Away From the Tools?
Register now to save your seat. It could be the most valuable hour you invest in your business this year!

REGISTER NOW