In this bonus episode, Alex sits down with Les from Standup Recruitment to unpack the wild early days of his career, including cold calling off fire escapes while working as a commercial painter, chasing down leads on job sites, and the moment he realised he hadn’t invented recruitment after all. Les shares his honest take on the industry, building trust with tradies, and why standing up for the people you place matters more than anything.If you enjoy real stories from the trades, hard-earned lessons, and a few good laughs along the way, this one is a beauty.

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, we sit down with Jacob and Ance—the husband-and-wife duo behind Standout Electrical in Auckland. They’ve just been honoured as recipients of the Master Electricians Master Electricians – Auckland Branch Business Scholarship—a fantastic testament to their commitment to craftsmanship, professionalism, and service.

Join us as Jacob and Ance reflect on the early hurdles of launching a trade business—managing customer trust, standing out in a competitive field, and the nitty-gritty of running both a business and a family. They also share candid stories of working side by side as a couple, building their brand together, and navigating the joyful challenge of expecting their first baby while ensuring the business continues to shine.

Topics We'll Explore:
• The Master Electricians Business Scholarship—what it means to them, how they earned it, and how it’s helping take their business to the next level.
• The practical pains and triumphs of starting an electrical trade business—from trust and communication to marketing and growth.
• The dynamics of being business partners and life partners—how they divide roles, resolve disagreements, and make space for family and baby on the way.

Tune in for an inspiring look at how passion, partnership, and purpose combine to light the way forward—not just in a business, but in life.

https://www.standoutelectrical.co.nz/https://www.instagram.com/standoutelectricalnz/

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

In this episode of The Puzzle Factory, Alex talks with Sam Groombridge, co‑founder of Big Bang Energy Solutions, a family‑run HVAC and electrical design company servicing Whangārei through to the Bay of Islands.

Sam’s story is unique:

• Despite being colour blind and not a qualified electrician, Sam has built a reputation for clever design and out‑of‑the‑box innovation that keeps customers coming back.

• How Big Bang Energy Solutions grew from a small start‑up into a trusted Mitsubishi Electric installer specialising in ducted and split‑system heat pumps, hot water solutions, and energy‑efficient systems.

• Why going the extra mile on every job—from transparent communication to smarter system layouts—sets them apart in a competitive market.

• The latest HVAC and energy‑efficiency trends every Kiwi homeowner and business should know.

This episode is packed with real‑world business lessons and actionable insights for tradespeople and anyone considering HVAC or solar solutions for their property.

https://bbenergysolutions.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 work

Whether 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, we sit down with Matt Bennett — founder of Team MBE — to hear the real story behind one of Auckland’s fastest-growing electrical companies.From a working-class upbringing and learning the trade on the tools, to backing himself and building a business from the ground up, Matt shares how he grew Team MBE into the powerhouse it is today. We cover the highs, the hard knocks, and the key lessons that shaped his journey.It’s an honest, practical chat full of insights for tradies, business owners, and anyone out there building something bigger than themselves.

https://www.teammbe.co.nz/

https://nztradegroup.co.nz/contact-us/

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