Episode Details

Today on Sunday Skool we shat to Billy Lawrence from Lawrence Electrical based out of Port Lincoln SA. 

Billy is a stand up guy. A good husband, a good dad, a good looking man (if I don’t say so myself), a good operator, honest, reliable, driven, someone who will stand up for what is right, pretty much just an all round top tier human. 

We talk about hiring, apprentices, finding work, doing jobs outside your comfort zone, community, small towns, government support for apprentices in rural areas, the importance of product, the importance of pricing, and much more. 

Enjoy the pod x 

Keywords

Port Lincoln, electrical industry, apprenticeships, business growth, community, hiring challenges, project management, TAFE, word of mouth, training

Takeaways

• Plan ahead for seasonal work demands.
• Small towns have unique business dynamics.
• Diversification is key in rural areas.
• Word of mouth is crucial for finding work.
• Hiring an apprentice can change your business.
• TAFE support for rural apprentices is lacking.
• Community engagement is vital for business success.
• Quoting accurately is essential for profitability.
• Building relationships with wholesalers is important.
• Don't give up during tough times.
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Summary

In this conversation, Billy Lawrence from Lawrence Electric shares his journey from being an apprentice to becoming a successful business owner in the electrical industry. He discusses the unique challenges and dynamics of running a business in a small town like Port Lincoln, including the importance of community, word of mouth, and hiring apprentices. Billy also highlights the difficulties of navigating the job market, the significance of accurate quoting, and the need for proper training and support for apprentices in rural areas. Throughout the discussion, he emphasizes resilience and the importance of not giving up during tough times.

Titles

• From Apprentice to Business Owner: A Journey
• Navigating the Electrical Industry in Rural Australia

Sound Bites

• "You make your own luck."
• "The product doesn't lie."
• "Don't give up!"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and First Impressions

02:07 Planning for Seasonal Work

05:52 Life in Port Lincoln

09:08 Apprenticeship Journey and Skills Diversification

11:57 Hiring Challenges in a Small Town

14:59 The Importance of Reputation and Word of Mouth

17:51 Finding and Training an Apprentice

21:02 TAFE and Training Disparities

23:59 Community Response and Awareness

24:56 The Challenges of Business Ownership

26:18 The Importance of Apprenticeships

30:22 Navigating Major Projects

38:11 Learning to Quote Effectively

43:12 The Journey of Business Growth

48:35 Final Thoughts and Advice