Skip to content
Sign in
Artwork for Working On It
BusinessCareersManagementHealth & FitnessMental Health

Working On It

Brad Staines

What if growing your business didn’t mean sacrificing your time, your health, or your freedom? 

Working On It is the podcast for service-based founders who want to scale without burning out. Each episode brings you honest conversations with experts, operators, and mentors - the same kind of people who’ve helped shape successful businesses from the inside out. We dive into the systems, strategies, and habits that drive performance - and show you how to build a company that works without you always having to be there. It’s about clarity, leadership, and reclaiming control - of your time, your team, and your next chapter. 

If you're focused on building a business that runs without you - and a life that works because of you - then you're in the right place


Play
Open in
  • 43 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 1 hr 3 min
  • English

Episodes 43

NewestOldestLongest
All3Unplayed3In progress0Played0
Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
  • #27
    March 25 · 32 min

    Leading from the Front: Navigating the Jump from Site Work to Leadership

    In this episode, Brad sits down with Dan Gurney to discuss his unique career trajectory, transitioning from the host's personal trainer to ascending the ranks as Operations Manager at Aquamark. Dan shares the challenges of moving from hands-on site work to managing a growing team, emphasizing the critical importance of maintaining strict standards, leaning on the "teacup method" to stay calm under pressure, and always leading by example. KEY TAKEAWAYS Lead from the Front: Transitioning into management requires setting the standard and maintaining clear expectations across the board. The Power of Discipline: Motivation is fleeting, but discipline is what gets the job done on tough days. Sticking to non-negotiables and pushing through difficult moments ultimately generates the motivation needed to keep moving forward. Always Have a Backup Plan: In operations, unexpected challenges are inevitable. Staying calm under pressure and ensuring you always have a Plan B and Plan C allows the team to pivot smoothly without panicking. Embrace Accountability: A blame culture is toxic to any growing business. Fostering an environment where team members own up to mistakes and use them as active learning opportunities is vital for long-term organizational success. Prioritize Your Own Well-being: You cannot effectively lead a team or support your family if you are burnt out. Committing to your own health and happiness acts like putting on your own oxygen mask first, equipping you to be a stronger, more present leader and parent. BEST MOMENTS "Leaders have to lead. As in, whether I'm in the office or on the field, I've always led from the front." "Discipline creates motivation when all motivation isn't there... once you've done what you should be doing, that motivates you to continue." "If you make a mistake, be accountable for it. I think in order for you to grow, you have to understand where you made the mistake and be accountable for it." "I didn't start as a window cleaner, I started actually as a personal trainer... but I think definitely those fundamentals and the foundations that I learned, work ethic, the simple things I learned in the gym, definitely shaped the way I was going to go about window cleaning." "I just want to inspire people. I think that's a major thing for me this year is like, be like an inspiration if you can." HOST BIO Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow. He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting. Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader. Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week.

  • #26
    March 18 · 46 min

    Trade Growth Club – Unleashing Your Business Potential

    Today, Chris and Brad take a look at the challenges and triumphs of building a successful business in the trade and construction industry. They share personal anecdotes, discuss the importance of a supportive community, and unveil the ‘Magic Seven’ pillars for sustainable growth. From mastering financial management to cultivating a strong brand vision, this episode is a treasure trove of insights for ambitious business owners. KEY TAKEAWAYS Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals who understand the unique challenges of the trade industry is crucial for growth and emotional support. Success in the trade business hinges on seven key areas: vision, marketing, sales, operations, finance, team building, and scaling up. Understanding and regularly monitoring your P&L, cash flow, and balance sheets is the lifeblood of any successful company. It’s essential to move beyond simply paying bills and focus on producing profit after all expenses and stakeholders are paid. While information is readily available, the key to success lies in taking deliberate, strategic action and having accountability for those actions. BEST MOMENTS "Running a business can get lonely. Sometimes you don't need more hustle, you need more clarity, structure, and the right people around you." "The number one rule or the number one purpose of a business is to make money and produce profit." "The finances are the blood of the company. You have to get that first—for investment, for paying bills, for growing." "Build your business to sell, whether you're going to sell or not, because then it gives you options." "Action is literally the enemy of procrastination, and it will move you forward." HOST BIO Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow. He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting. Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader. Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week.

  • #25
    March 11 · 1 hr 5 min

    Beyond Social Media: Creating a Memorable Personal Brand

    In this episode, entrepreneur and personal branding expert Kelly Lundberg shares her journey from a cabin crew member in Dubai to becoming an authority on personal branding. Kelly shares the defining moments that led her to recognise the importance of personal branding, particularly her experience with luxury retailer Harvey Nichols. She breaks down her ‘Seven Pillars of Personal Branding’ and explores the power of storytelling and consistency across multiple platforms. Kelly also shares her insights on professional growth, the impact of environment, and how personal branding is about evolving into the version of yourself you aspire to be. KEY TAKEAWAYS Personal branding is often about transitioning from being ‘hidden’ to being ‘seen’, often providing the confidence and clarity that people are truly buying into. A successful personal brand must be consistent across multiple digital platforms, including LinkedIn, Instagram, websites, and even search results. Your personal brand sits at the top and evolves with you, while business activities and joint ventures may come and go beneath it. Effective personal branding requires an intentional strategy (who you are and what you want to be known for) before jumping into social media content. Storytelling is a crucial element of personal branding that allows for a relational experience, moving beyond generic AI-generated content. BEST MOMENTS "While you think that you're offering transformation and personal branding, ultimately what people are buying into is confidence." "Dubai is the home of reinvention. And more than that, presence and brand is very much Emirates standards." "Your personal brand never stays still. It always evolves. You evolve as a person." "Visibility is your responsibility. No one else is going to talk about you than you." "It's the small things done consistently that makes you memorable, not one big thing." HOST BIO Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow. He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting. Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader. Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week.

Showing 41–43 of 43 episodes