How We Run a SUCCESSFUL Building Business as a Couple | Level Up with Duayne Pearce

 Join us as we share the real story behind building a successful business—and a strong marriage—together. From the challenges of working as a couple in the construction industry to the lessons we’ve learned about teamwork, communication, and growth, this episode is packed with honest insights and practical tips for anyone balancing business and family. Don’t miss our candid conversation and behind-the-scenes moments! 

Transcript

Welcome, Roles At Home And Work

SPEAKER_00 2:50

G'day guys, welcome back to another episode of Level Up. We are back in the shed this afternoon for what will be a cracking episode, given the uh this is take two. So we've um I've got Camille, my better half, back with us again today, and we've also got Walter the dog uh on the floor with us here because he just loves being with us all the time, which is awesome. How you going, babe?

SPEAKER_03 3:12

Good, how are you?

SPEAKER_00 3:13

Very good. How's your day been?

SPEAKER_03 3:15

Busy, very busy.

Why A VA Changed Everything

SPEAKER_00 3:16

People will probably wonder why I ask how your your day's been because we work together, but I'm not always in the office, am I?

SPEAKER_03 3:22

No, we don't always speak about everything that I do. So sometimes there is a bit of surprise to our day.

SPEAKER_00 3:29

Yeah, but uh, what have you been up to today?

SPEAKER_03 3:32

Quoting some new jobs, just giving everyone updates on some other jobs we got coming up next year. Um working on a project that we have coming up or that we've been working on for the last couple of months. Just doing some research on that.

SPEAKER_00 3:49

For a personal project.

SPEAKER_03 3:51

Personal project. Um doing Angelica and I had some new SOPs um that we're working on just to make things a little bit more streamlined with us and the guys on site. So um Angelica's my VA, as you know, if everyone else doesn't. Um and she an SOP is what is an SOP, Dwayne?

SPEAKER_00 4:11

I think um Angelica is more of a personal assistant than a virtual assistant.

SPEAKER_03 4:16

Yeah, she does, yeah, she does a lot of different stuff. Um SOP is standard operating procedure. Yeah, I'll just make it sure you do. Um she does we I well we can talk about her first. Um Angelica's been a big turning point for me in the office um because like I like to work alone but also on a team. But with the hours that we do and in and out, and our office is at home, um, and we don't have really the space to have someone else in the office all the time.

SPEAKER_00 4:51

We've got we do five in the office, but we don't want five in the office.

SPEAKER_03 4:55

No, I'd like, yeah, we we talked about this for a very long time, but um, I didn't know how VA would work in our business, but Angelica's yeah, she's come a long way and does heaps of different stuff for us. So it's not just like the one role that I wanted her to do, she's really adapted to heaps of different things.

SPEAKER_00 5:15

Yeah, VA's awesome. If you haven't listened to my uh podcast with Greg from the Doing Co, um go and check it out. And if you are interested in a VA, reach out to us or reach out to the Doing Co. Let them know that you heard about it on the Level Up Podcast, um, you'll get a special deal. But um VAs are we we've had to learn how to work with them, but um, across all of our businesses now, I think we've got seven, so they're um they add a lot of value. But I guess to go back a little bit, um, I've got Camille back on today because uh a lot of you guys and girls that listen and watch the podcast uh and follow me on social media quite often ask like how I get everything done, how Camille and I do so much. Um we get a lot of questions about what does Camille do? Um we get a lot of wives and partners that reach out, so yeah, we and Camille's very open about um what she does in the office. I'm very open about telling everybody like if it wasn't for Camille, I we couldn't have what we have and do what we do. So um I'm a very good delegator.

SPEAKER_03 6:18

Uh you are a good delegator, oh my god.

SPEAKER_00 6:21

Um and Camille's very good at organising and and making the shit happen.

SPEAKER_03 6:25

So I'm not a very good receiver of your tasks that you delegate to me sometimes, but I normally come around, don't I?

SPEAKER_00 6:32

Well, let's just talk about that because communication has been a big part of uh us working together.

SPEAKER_03 6:38

Yeah. I don't take it from you very well when I'm in a bad mood, I should say. So and I've I've had to learn like you come in and you like storm it and like I need this, I need that, the blah blah blah. And I'm like, oh could you just sit down and chill out for a second?

SPEAKER_00 6:54

Send me an email.

SPEAKER_03 6:54

Yeah, yeah, send me an email. I don't like to be don't tell me because then I've got to write everything down. Email me.

SPEAKER_00 7:00

Yeah, I I I think I was like a lot of like from a lot of blokes and wives that we hear from, uh, you're all very similar to us. So um we that's if we share our stories, hopefully it'll help you guys out. But we I Camille, if you haven't heard the stories like Camille got thrown in the deep end, our second, our youngest daughter, Violet, um Camille came off maternity leave.

SPEAKER_03 7:24

Um well I was yeah, I was about to go back to work.

Communication Rules For Couples In Business

SPEAKER_00 7:27

About to go back to work. Um Camille had worked her way out, was very successful in um corporate sort of world, and we thought it would be a good call to get her into the family building business, and yeah, it was very difficult, very stressful, and I think it only took about three hours for Camille to go, Fuck, I'm out, I'm not doing this anymore. That was probably better than that. Um that was what, 10 years ago?

SPEAKER_03 7:52

We uh Okay, so from the last podcast, we really need to do a timeline of this, but while it's 12, she would have been one, so 11 years ago.

SPEAKER_00 8:03

Yeah, so um and a lot of a lot of like I I do think there's a lot of people that would have divorced or walked out on each other or got like gone and got jobs. Like we've we've we've definitely been through some challenging times, and not all of it, but a lot of it has been me, like my personal development and understanding more about you. I I used to walk in the office and just as I was walking in be rattling things off to not only Camille but um other people that worked in our office as well, and thinking like that it that was fine to do that.

SPEAKER_03 8:42

We must stop and listen, trade said to the roo. But uh that's just you coming in and just like letting it out because you've been thinking about that's how your brain works a million miles an hour. So you think, well, you thought you just come in and like blurt it all out, we would stand to attention and quickly not that that sounds awful, but in that way, whereas now it's like we have a process for it, so I had to say to you, and I had to say to Todd at the start, like, don't call me before this time, only ask me for these things during these hours.

SPEAKER_00 9:15

Todd's one of our supervisors.

SPEAKER_03 9:16

Yeah, sorry. Um if you need something ordered for the next day, like you have to do it this time because if I didn't structure my day and make sure you understood that, then nothing would get done.

SPEAKER_00 9:27

Yeah, I think it's really important um knowing people's like setting expectations and understanding how different people work.

SPEAKER_03 9:36

Well, that's we have talked about this before. Um the wheel that Helen did with us. So I and I actually spoke to Helen about some stuff today, but we I told you about that when I first come on board, saying, I don't know how you guys don't understand, like working with different personalities, how that works on site, like getting more team communication and culture, like KPIs, like all of these things to make things more streamlined and people understand what their roles and tasks are. And you're like, it doesn't work in this industry, you don't understand. And I was Helen was like, Why do you think like he didn't understand or take that on board? I'm like, Well, he didn't know what I did in my job, I didn't know what you did in your job. So when I offered advice, like I've really been thinking about this today, I don't think you took it on board because we both didn't in yeah, we you we both didn't quite understand how things were.

SPEAKER_00 11:34

But I and like in the position we're in now, like I would like as you know, like I ask now, like if someone says something to me, I'm like, well, explain it to me, like what is it? Whereas in the old days, it's like if I didn't understand it or know what it was, I wasn't interested. Yeah, and that's that was that held me back for a very long time. So um yeah, you've got to be open-minded. But um for anyone that's interested, Helen that Camille just mentioned, uh, Helen is actually our leadership uh mentor in Live Life Build Business. Um, she runs a business called Leadership EQ. She's got a book called Leadership for the Everyday Leader. Um, but yeah, go and check. I've done a podcast with Helen as well. You should go and check it out. But Helen's been instrumental, what, in the last three years? Yeah. Um definitely in my personal development, um, probably in our relationship as well, definitely in our kids' relationships. Yeah, for the kids, she's been great. Yeah, our whole family definitely owes a lot to Helen. So um, but yeah, understanding like doing a disc profile and understanding more about each other is is huge. I think it should be something people it should be compulsory for people to do before they get married, actually.

SPEAKER_03 12:46

Well, that'd be a good idea. But I don't, I think we yeah, you need to talk to each other about how you like to do things, like thinking, oh it's so exciting, I'm gonna work together, how cute. And then you start and you're like, ah, I hate you 80% of the time. So you need to talk about how you want things and then come to some like it's just like a relationship, but you're in the office.

Personality Profiles And Working Styles

SPEAKER_00 13:13

Yeah, it can't just be one way other someone's way out the highway. But just quickly on the disc profile. If you do do them, don't get put off by them. Camille and like Camille and I are at completely opposite ends of it. If you go on the disc profile, we should shouldn't be together.

SPEAKER_03 13:25

But uh we compliment each other because we're opposites, that's how it works. There's a bit of we we conflict on a few things there, but we I was just saying to Helen today that I've kissed many frogs before I found my prints, so I might be taking that back. My god, that's a bit rude.

SPEAKER_00 13:42

But um not many, only a few.

SPEAKER_03 13:45

Oh my god.

SPEAKER_00 13:47

But we make it like we work very well together and we get a lot done. Like I don't I think if a lot of people knew how much we have going on, it would uh like most people can't handle and build one business, let alone four, five, six, and and and still be looking at new ones. So yeah. Let's talk about that for a minute because that's uh I'm good at throwing ideas and starting new things, and Camille used to get very frustrated about this.

SPEAKER_03 14:17

Yeah, I was talking about this today as well. I would always say no, not interested because I didn't understand your big picture and you didn't share the big picture with me. So you would and you do now have your book and your notes about your goals and dreams and what you want to do. And I have never done that. My goal is to make sure the kids get to school tomorrow and they have a uniform.

SPEAKER_00 14:44

I've always not been a goal person, like well you are, you just you're you're very good at putting everyone else first before yourself.

SPEAKER_03 14:54

Yeah, so that's fine.

SPEAKER_00 14:55

But well, it's not we argue about this. I I push Camille to think about herself more than me and the kids.

SPEAKER_03 15:02

Yeah, it'll get there eventually. The kids are getting older. But I don't have a lot of.

SPEAKER_00 15:06

See, she's even pushing back now.

SPEAKER_03 15:08

The we have different Well, I'm happy with that, and I've always said that I'm a support role, and when I am ready to have my own thing, then I there I expect you to support me.

SPEAKER_00 15:22

So I Which she's currently doing, and is not the biggest deal we've ever done. So she held back for a long time, but now she's gone all the guns blazing.

SPEAKER_03 15:31

Yeah, I don't oh god. Um so I would always say no because I didn't understand the big picture, and you kept saying, You just don't understand the big picture, but you never explained it to me, and I also probably didn't want to hear it because it meant more work for me. So I would always say no, not interested, no, not interested, like no, don't even talk nope, like that was just it.

SPEAKER_00 15:54

But after a while, and even when I did start to explain things, you I didn't explain it very well.

SPEAKER_03 16:00

No, and when you did start to explain it, I would then ask 10 questions to your one note, and then you would say, You're just being negative. And I'm like, no, I'm just like, I'm not looking at the bad side, I'm just asking, like, how does it affect this? And I don't understand, no, that doesn't seem right. And it was not negative, it was just my processing thoughts. So I think now in the probably the last couple, well, since probably we I said yes to the farm.

SPEAKER_00 16:27

I since then it's probably it's been a good four.

SPEAKER_03 16:32

Yeah, I'd say four or five years that I've been more open to your plans, but also you have been better at explaining, but and uh me, I now know that you are you do plan it over a long period, so it's not been like a five-minute thought, it's been like a five-month investor.

SPEAKER_00 16:54

Like on the same page now, but like even though you say you don't have goals, like everything we're doing now is about creating passive incomes and being able to still have incomes, like substantial incomes when we choose to slow down at work and making sure we can travel the world with the kids and well yeah, to set the kids up. Like everything we're doing is has joint goals, I guess. Yeah, the um yeah, I I like Camille said, she can hear me sleep, uh thinking when I'm sleeping. Like I don't stop, my brain doesn't stop. I'm always like we haven't even signed off on a deal yet, and I'm I'm I know it's gonna happen. I'm looking at the next one.

SPEAKER_03 17:35

Yeah, you're online looking at stuff on mics, just stop. It's not even a why. The um I used to think it was a waste of time, and I'd get the shits with that because I'd be like, You're wasting your time looking at a tractor for a farm we don't even have. Like, you never take me out on a date, you can't cook dinner at night, you don't do shit. Like, well, you do, but do now, yeah. Didn't use it. Let we'll talk about that later. Then I would get the shits, but now I understand like that's your processing that thought and preparing, and it's better to be prepared rather than doing it last minute, freaking out and doing the wrong thing.

SPEAKER_00 18:10

Putting it out to the universe. I do a lot of homework, like that's I think that's what Camille's realised. Like I research the crap out of things before I uh make a decision on them. But being on the same page now and understanding how each other like Camille needs very different information than what I need to make a decision on something. So like I look and and and our comfort zones are very different. Oh yeah. Like I've got a huge risk or appetite for risk, and Camille um doesn't. No, at all. It's um I think it's been in like I I think we've actually ex excelled more, like everything's increased more that we work together. Like and it's really good bouncing the ideas off each other now because Camille will bring up something that I may not have thought about and like it might make us pull out of a deal or reconsider another option or whatever, and vice versa. So it's like we're really working well together, but we're very good at like as well, as busy as we are, and it sounds like we're doing a lot, like we we do shut off. Like people think we work 24-7, but no. We um we work we're very we well, Camille's on board with this now as well, but we're very good at figuring out our our who's um before we do our how. Like we get people, like Camille's got our assistant now, and yeah, like she helps you across multiple businesses with different tasks. Yeah. Um so Camille's not trying to rush around and do everything. Like um, and I I do the same. Like we've got multiple supervisors now, and good staff on site and um good good managers in in um a couple of the businesses, so yeah. Um but yeah, we do like having a lot of people sort of ask questions about us having an office at home as well. Like, what do you think about that?

SPEAKER_03 20:09

I think it's like a dream.

SPEAKER_00 20:12

Yeah, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Sharing Big Goals And Risk Appetite

SPEAKER_03 20:13

No, I well sometimes I think it would be nice to go somewhere, but I don't like wearing shoes. So I don't ever wear shoes in the office. Um you you're at home, you can uh do things while you're at work, the kids are there, you don't have to worry about them.

SPEAKER_00 20:34

But we've set we set boundaries.

SPEAKER_03 20:36

You set you have to set boundaries, definitely. And like some people might not understand, but and the kids probably used to think, oh mum and dad are always at work, but we would explain mum and dad are just gonna work for a couple of hours tonight, like after dinner, so because you've got that school thing on on Thursday, so that's going away.

SPEAKER_00 20:59

Yeah, we're leaving Friday, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 21:00

So like they understand and they get that we like make our time work for us. I don't we don't normally have late nights anymore.

SPEAKER_00 21:12

We we work when we have to work, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 21:14

We might work on a Saturday randomly if it's quiet and we're home because we don't often have weekends where we're at home, so but a lot of the time now when we're working overnight or weekends, it's it's working on our own developments or our own ideas, and um yeah, like it's it's enjoyable.

SPEAKER_00 21:32

And yeah, um, our girls are at an age now where occasionally they're getting involved, like they they want to know, they ask questions, they want to know what we're doing and how we're doing things, and yeah, or the event packing bags and learning how the ticketing and stuff works and yeah, like looking at like recently, um we've recently done some massive hours, and the kids have got involved, like we've been doing some maintenance on a couple of rental properties so we can flick them off and move on to the next adventure. But um it's I I think it's unreal. Like the the girls like they want to they ask questions, they want to know like what's rent and why do people pay it. And yeah, um, we're having issues, like we we've had issues trying to get one tenant out of a of a investment property, and um they want to know like what happens, like how how can you do that? Like, can you can you make them pay that? Like, do they have to pay you back?

SPEAKER_03 22:26

Like, yeah, they're learning, they've got lots of questions.

SPEAKER_00 22:30

Yeah, now they're starting to understand the value of money a little bit more, and like we we pay them, like they get paid for the hours they work, so they negotiate their hour rate too.

SPEAKER_03 22:39

Sorry, Walter's just trying to further up. Um it is good for them to see.

SPEAKER_00 22:47

Yeah, back back to the officing. Like, I I feel like we've had offices at home in the past, like two of our homes, we had offices at home, and then we had some industrial buildings. And we've definitely had bad experience, like our first office at home when you first started, like, like what Lottie was well, Lottie was two, and Volet was well, Lottie would have been three and Volet was one.

SPEAKER_03 23:08

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 23:09

And so that that was hard and stressful.

SPEAKER_03 23:12

We also got married that year. So I mean that was stressful.

SPEAKER_00 23:15

Yeah the so it we've learnt to set boundaries. Like we we've continually just adapted and improved, and like I honestly I couldn't have it any other way now. Like, I really I really enjoy that we've like the the current house we're in now, like had a really large um two bedroom granny flat down one end, and so we've literally just gutted that and it's now got a big it's got a basically a big boardroom type desk and A plan table and a separate desk where I uh separate office where I am, as its own bathroom. Like it's and it's got a it we lock it off, it's closed off to the main house.

SPEAKER_03 23:53

So um but the kids come in, can come in there and do homework of an afternoon. They come in and hang out, like if we're doing stuff like they'll put their airpods in, which isn't great, and like colour in and stuff. So it's not like we separate ourselves from the rest of the house. If they're home, they will come in and have a chat and chill out, ask what we're doing.

SPEAKER_00 24:17

Yeah, but you've we you've got to have standards, don't you? Like for people that are are running home offices, like you've you've still gotta set working hours, like yeah, turn your computer off. Yeah, turn the computer off. Just like Camille, we something we argued about for a long time. Like we would leave the office, but then I would continue asking questions and uh at night, yeah. You can't while we're having dinner and while we're watching TV, like, oh did you get that done, or have you done that?

SPEAKER_03 24:44

Don't forget about this tomorrow. I was like, like I care right now. You can't do that, that is off limits.

SPEAKER_00 24:51

Yeah, well, if you want any action, you shouldn't be asking work questions, did you? But um like yeah, I I had to and then you did it like you did it for a while. Like there was a period there where you were under the pump and you're like, have you chased this person up? Like, did that get done today? But we've learned now, like once basically once you walk out that office door, like it's there's no work talk.

SPEAKER_03 25:12

Like, yeah, I think um using the programs and stuff that we do for the team as well really helps. So, like with Slack communicating with each other, I mean you there's not it's not like every minute you're putting something on there, but if you've got some questions, you can set the time as well. So if I have a list of things that I need to check with you and I know you're gonna get up at whatever time and do some office work before you go to site, I can schedule some questions, tag you in it, and then you can get back to me in the morning. So you don't have you can like get it out of your head. You don't have to write it down, you have to do an email.

SPEAKER_00 25:49

Like just and the team also like every day they put a list of the tasks that have been done on site and what's been booked in and things, so we can see what's being done.

SPEAKER_03 25:58

You've got to pre-think about what yeah, you need to do so you can just leave it in the office and not take it out of the door.

Home Office Boundaries That Stick

SPEAKER_00 26:06

Yeah, I think there's a lot of value in um like it goes the other way as well. Like, I know some builders that their wives or partners just aren't interested, they've got their own careers and they just they don't get the support, and but that that's fine. Like, um I think it's one of those things that you shouldn't expect your partner to to help you out in your business. Um, and in those scenarios, it's it's up to you to understand your costs and allow enough like Camille. Um this is probably an important thing to talk about. Like a lot of wives and partners work in construction businesses for free, they don't get paid a salary. Like Camille and I get both pay ourselves for the roles we play. Yeah, um, it's a business cost, it's it's built into it, and actually, that's it is really important to talk about this because that was another reason why we had a lot of arguments and frustration. I think in the early days, like initially we thought, oh yeah, like Camille come into the business, like we're ahead of the game, like free labour, won't have to felt very under like free admin. And like for your mindset, like I can understand why you struggled for a long time because you're you're like, fuck, I'm not getting paid here. Like, I'm I'm doing all this stress, and the business isn't making money, and I'm not getting paid a salary.

SPEAKER_03 27:20

Like, plus, you have more stress on you because you I was saying I I didn't know anything about cash flow of the business when you and Sharon would talk about bills. Like when I started hearing those things, I was like, Are we okay? Like, what's going on? And you're like, it's fine, this is just how it works. But I'm like, that was another added stress that I actually knew what was going on in the business, but because before that, it'll be like, How's your day? What did you do with the kids today? And then like you'd be putting them to bed and you'd go to bed, you wouldn't really talk about it. All I'd know is that your phone would be ringing at night or like whatever. But when you start working in it, you have to understand that whoever's helping you has got that another burden on them that they don't understand, they're worried, like they're now like this is a big, big responsibility on them too. And that was really stressful.

SPEAKER_00 28:20

Yeah, it's really important to make sure that everyone in the business um is getting paid for their time, and and again, like Camille and I have Camille trusts me a lot now, like she knows that I'm all over the numbers, that I I don't make decisions that um that risk the family. Like it's like I'm I'm I'm reviewing the numbers constantly, like I know what's going on. But yeah, there's so many things that can lead to stressful situations when couples are working together. Um I think it's a good point that Camille just touched on then. Like when they're like husband and wives doing or wives and partners doing work a lot of the time after hours, weekends, just sort of jumping in to do to help their partners out and keep the wheels turning. Yeah, like it you can understand how they get really stressed when they don't understand the ins and outs and the finances and yeah, um so yeah, like have open I think have open conversations would be a big bit of my advice.

SPEAKER_03 29:23

Yeah, just write down your roles and tasks, what you expect of them, and how much time needs to be allocated to those things. Because yeah, you need to understand each other's roles and tasks a bit more, I think.

SPEAKER_00 29:38

Yeah. And then what advice for people have you got for wise and partners like that are in a business that has grown a little bit where they maybe are working full-time and it like um from my point of view, like you getting a VA has been a massive thing.

SPEAKER_03 29:53

Yeah, that's been a huge that was really scary. I like your famous words, it's not gonna work. But at the start, it we had our bump at the start. I probably expected her to know more than she did, but that was my fault. Um I didn't I had to learn how to train her too. I've never had a VA and work at Suncourt training someone, that was very different because it was like a clear process, and we had like rules and regulations we had to adhere to, but with Angelica, I I knew what I was doing, so how did I need to relay that to her for her to understand? There's it there's risk involved, but there's so much reward, and it is really scary, but it's like so worth it.

SPEAKER_00 30:49

How long have we had Angelica now?

SPEAKER_03 30:51

She's been with us for a year, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 30:53

And like as Camille touched on, like we did we had a big hiccup, like within three or four weeks, we actually were um I was like, this isn't like this isn't working, we're gonna get rid of her, but we the task that we gave her didn't suit her. Well, it it wasn't that even suit her.

SPEAKER_03 31:10

I didn't train her enough to do it. I find and it's like an apprentice, right, on our jobs, and we've talked about this, so like it's not like they're working for OJ Pippin where they're like doing frames constantly. My job is the same. So we might do a plumbing fixtures selection or quote or check or whatever for one job and then not do it again for four months on another job. So it's not like it's a recurring task like every week that you remember. So, how can I expect her to do it once and then do it perfect the next time? So, training for a VAE in our type of job, what I do, like it's been a year and she is all over it, but I'm slowly starting to add more to her now because I need her to heaps now. Yeah, with with the project that I have coming up, I need her to take more responsibility with DPC. So when we just went on holidays recently, well, before that, I was CCing her into emails so she kind of knew what was going on and could recognize like how that was working. Um, but then um when we went on holidays recently, I just said, you've got access to my email account. Everything should be fine, but if this happens, I need you to do one, two, three, four.

SPEAKER_00 32:33

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 32:34

So, and she did it.

SPEAKER_00 32:36

Yeah, but we're at a like she has come, like um Angelica, a VA. Like, I don't have a lot to do with her. Camille, she's like I said, she's basically Camille's personal assistant. Um, she's doing a lot now, and like, so we've now been having conversations. Well, and Camille's doing it at the moment, like, well, let's figure out what task she wants to do and what how far she wants to go, and we actually might bring in a VA to be her assistant, yeah. So we're really letting our team grow and expand so that they can move up a level and and bring people below then to help them. Like, it's all part of that who knows.

SPEAKER_03 33:12

But it is you it takes time, and if yeah, anyone wants to reach out about that journey for sure.

Paying Partners Fairly And Reducing Stress

SPEAKER_00 33:21

Um, it's just yeah, it's I've seen a massive change in you, like a lot of stress off, you've more chilled out. Like, um back to we like I said before, everyone thinks we work 24-7, like so much, so many of our family are like, oh, you guys work too much, you're always working. Like, we work when we want to work. Like um, like I took an air out of today and went and got a beard and a haircut and chilled out at the barber, like Camille goes and gets her nails done, or catches up with a friend. Like, we um we do what it takes when it needs to be done, yeah. And when we want to do personal things or spend time with family or go away, we we do it.

SPEAKER_03 33:59

Well, also this week I've had to spend pretty much two days at our investment property sorting shit out. So, like if I didn't have her like catching up today, it took me half the time because I was like, Oh, hey, can you do this? Hey, have you got time for this? And like, she has her recurring tasks each day to over all different brands, but now yeah, I just give her a list and she just keeps, yeah, that's done, that's done, that's done, and like, so how good's that?

SPEAKER_00 34:28

Yeah, and I've I've now got a um a VA as well that helps out a lot with all the podcasts and all my social media posting and stuff. So, well, we've had him for a little while now, but um that's taken a lot of load off you, yeah. That's taking and things massive load off me. But um, yeah, like when everyone's asked me, like, man, I don't know how you guys do everything. Like, we're telling you, like, this this is how we do it. Like, you've got to have you've got to surround yourself with good people, but um the reality is you can't do everything.

SPEAKER_03 34:59

No, and but they're also you have to be super organized. Not like I'm not a professional organizer, I can tell you, but the programs that I use to make sure things aren't missed, things are done, things are scheduled, like that's so important. That like I personally use Monday and Slack, and that has everything. If I've emailed someone, I'm like, I've emailed Jack about whatever, follow up in two days if there's no response.

SPEAKER_00 35:30

And then if No, but don't so like don't try and remember everything.

SPEAKER_03 35:33

No, like you cannot remember everything, it is ridiculous. So, but now with Angelica, she has we're all on the same project boards, and if I'm sick, I can say, Hey, can you just check in on those outstanding tasks? So it's got a due date, she jumps in, she can see all the notes of what I've got, and then she can be like, Oh, hey Jack, just Camille emailed you about this. Where is it at? So if you do that, then kind of gives you peace of mind that if the kids are sick, if you're sick, if you've got a race to school, like whatever. It's all about kids. But if there's anything that needs to be done, that it's all there. You don't have to stress. It's not just all on you. And I mean, if I trained you, you could jump on and do it.

SPEAKER_00 36:16

I know what I'm good at and what I'm not good at. So not that. I think that's another look, it's without blowing my own trumpet, it's something I've always been very good at. Like, I'm I am not interested in wasting time learning how to do something that I'm not gonna use and that I don't need to use. Like, I will pay someone, hire someone, do get someone to do something. I said it before, I'm very good at delegating, but I know my strengths. Um, and I think like Camille's really on board with this now. Like, when you know your strengths and your weaknesses, and you you hire, pay, employ people to do the things that you don't enjoy doing, that you're not good at, that's when you you have a lot of growth.

SPEAKER_02 36:55

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 36:56

Because you can't do it all anyway. But if you're spending time doing tasks and things that you don't enjoy and you're not efficient at, then you're throw you you're wasting time, you're throwing money away. Um, and you should be investing that time in in things that you are good at and you are efficient at.

SPEAKER_03 37:12

Yeah. Our dog has a weird obsession for rocks, seriously.

SPEAKER_00 37:16

Yeah, Walter's um being loud in the shed this afternoon for the podcast, so uh he's scraping some rocks around, wanting to play.

SPEAKER_02 37:23

Loves it.

SPEAKER_00 37:24

Um, so what what else in the office? Like, because like we do get a lot of questions from wives and partners, like, how do you do it? What do you do? Like, what what's your main task in our in the building business?

SPEAKER_03 37:38

There is no more project management, I guess.

SPEAKER_00 37:42

Yeah. So you help me out with the estimating. You do all the general, you do a lot of the ordering, inquiring.

SPEAKER_03 37:49

Yeah, I work with you on estimating, work on you, with you. Um work with Brett and Todd for what they need on site. Review schedules, review schedules, what like Angelica and I manage workplace, health and safety, period subcontracts, um just inquiry process.

SPEAKER_00 38:13

I think it's just a female thing. Females don't like elaborating on what they do. Like blacks are like, yeah, I do all this, I like all this myself. Like Camille does a lot of shit.

SPEAKER_03 38:23

She's uh Well, there's a lot there, but I also what else do I do? Cook dinner every night. I no, I don't know. Every do I mean everything well it's everything that I just said, but like there's just constant communication.

SPEAKER_00 38:39

But for people, for females out there that feel like they're overwhelmed, they're doing too much, like there's a lot to do in a building business.

SPEAKER_03 38:45

There is a lot to do in a building business. No one minute of the day is ever gonna be the same as tomorrow.

SPEAKER_00 38:50

Yeah, like what I'm trying to get across is we're not superhuman. Like we deal with shit, shit comes up, we deal with shit, we get shit done.

Training VAs And Building Systems

SPEAKER_03 38:57

Oh, you could be planning to quote all day and then you don't get to it in three days. So, like it things can change on a dime in our industry. The weather could change. I mean, look at the cyclone this year. Like, when have Brisbane people ever had to deal with the cyclone, and then all of a sudden, holy shit, yeah. Well, like, holy shit, we would there's a cyclone coming. What do we have to do? There's neighbors calling about worrying about scaffold falling on like there's so you you cannot predict well you can to some degree, but not like things change all the time. Yeah, like so if you look if you have to accept change, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 39:36

But like a lot of people get overwhelmed and think they're the only one dealing with a lot of stuff. Like oh no, a real a building business. Um Camille's on the on board with me now. She used to um always have a bit of a go at me when I'd say, like, this is the hardest job ever. Like, people don't understand. Like, if you haven't worked if you haven't owned and operated and run a building business, like you don't understand how much is involved.

SPEAKER_03 40:02

No, it's very hard.

SPEAKER_00 40:03

Like, there is a lot.

SPEAKER_03 40:04

People just think, oh, they're making heaps of money, heaps of money. And I mean, we might some jobs, but other jobs you might. Like everyone, like there's so yeah, like there's so many.

SPEAKER_00 40:16

Yeah, but what we make is only a reflection of the effort we put in.

SPEAKER_03 40:20

100%, and you deserve every center. Builders deserve every cent of the money that they get. They are building your home, they are having to deal with engineering and soils and like there's so many facets of your job.

SPEAKER_00 40:36

Of our job.

SPEAKER_03 40:37

Oh, I yeah, but I don't do the build like I understand what you're saying, but I don't get on site. I get on site the other day and Brad nearly had a heart attack that I was there. I don't often get to site.

SPEAKER_00 40:47

So I I don't the sites don't operate without what you do.

SPEAKER_03 40:51

No, but they but they also don't see that. So, like, we should do a role of roll reversal one day and see how they manage that. But yeah, if I don't order stuff and it's not there, then they can't tile or they can't do drawing, like whatever. But you yeah, the industry is extremely hard, and you really need to make sure that you have an open mind and communicate and make sure you're okay. But like look at the mental health in our industry, it's insane. And divorce rates, like well, divorce rates in general are insane. So you have to, and I hate talking about this on this podcast, I've done it before, but like the horror stories about if you if a build is not in the right headspace and you're working together and this happens, and they're like the families are affected very badly. That's not nice. Yeah, no, and look, that's why we And we have an agreement, like we've discussed it.

SPEAKER_00 41:51

The um this is why we openly talk about this, because I know there's a lot of people out there that are stressed by running building businesses, a lot of wives and partners that have been thrown in the deep end and and don't necessarily understand the role or what it is they're doing. Um, and a lot of blokes, like a lot of tradies, a lot of builders out there that just expect their wife to be able to help them out. And if your wife has worked in them badly, treat them poorly and wonder why the relationship is souring.

SPEAKER_03 42:22

Like, but if your wife's work or your partner, whoever has worked in an office, it doesn't mean she's worked in a construction business office. Like it doesn't just because a lady or a whoever, I don't want to put a gender on it, but whoever, if you've had a job that's like an administration role, it's not the same in every industry. So you you have to learn. I didn't know what anything was when I started doing this.

SPEAKER_00 42:47

Yeah, so don't like blokes, don't put too much pressure on your partners because it And if they don't want to do it, leave them alone. Yeah, 100%. Like, find you'll find help from somebody else. Don't expect them to um to help you out. But so we've covered a lot about working together, having a home office. Um let's talk about the the level up experience, the big event.

SPEAKER_03 43:07

Yeah, that was cool.

SPEAKER_00 43:08

Um, and I guess that can tie into a bit of a recap, maybe, but yeah, like that was a lot of work.

SPEAKER_03 43:16

It was a lot of work on top of everything else. Yeah, thanks, Shay and I. Honestly, well, Shay.

SPEAKER_00 43:24

The event was uh definitely one of my crazy ideas, which um as like I've spoken about it. We did it to show that I'm serious about what I'm doing for the industry and creating a new industry.

SPEAKER_03 43:34

And um have you explained to people that there was no profit in that whatsoever? Yeah, like we and it cost us a lot of money.

SPEAKER_00 43:41

Camille was uh

SPEAKER_03 43:43

Took a well, I don't know if she's my Christmas present will be large.

SPEAKER_00 43:47

I don't know if she's asked even on the same page now. But look, we look, we made we got some sponsors on board for that. Massive shout out to Brett for getting behind us. Um Pro Climber, Offro Creative, all the guy everyone that supported us, everyone that showed up. But yeah, that event, and and I guess this is something just in business in general, like people don't understand what sometimes gets put on the line to to start things. Um like the level up experience cost us like we we lost a lot of money. Don't say the actual number more money than people would think.

SPEAKER_03 44:25

And it didn't lose us money, we shouldn't say that. It was a good investment into what your passion is.

SPEAKER_00 44:31

Yeah, so it's it's again, it's back to what you see value him. If you like if you if you talk dollars on paper, we we lost a lot of money. Like it physically cost us out of our bank accounts a lot of money to put that event on. But the flowing effect of that is uh the personal brands grown, the business has grown, and we've become more recognized for what we're doing. People will really believe in what I'm doing now. Yeah, um, so that to in business you have to do that. Like you've got to spend money to make money, but it was an incredible event.

SPEAKER_03 45:07

You don't have to go crazy. Yeah, but like it was awesome, it was really good.

SPEAKER_00 45:12

Yeah, Camille, Shay, um Kathy, Kathy, like we had we had a lot of support for that, but I'd I definitely underestimated like that. We've actually had people since the event ask us what um event company we used to help us pull it off. Like people can't believe that we we put an event on and we didn't have an event company helping us pull it all together.

SPEAKER_03 45:37

Plus, none of us had done it before, so we were like, we made good decisions. I think we did pretty good.

SPEAKER_00 45:43

Yeah, and uh well, yeah. Look, if you're interested, I I'm still um it's not happening for 2026, sorry. 2026, there is going to be some smaller events, um, but we will be having a level up experience again in the future, and I can guarantee you it will be louder, bigger.

SPEAKER_03 45:59

I was gonna say, let's not say I did say to Angelica the other day because she's would we've said to Angelica that if we do one this year, next year, that we would fly her over from the Philippines and have her with us on the day because she was like instrumental in my day. I was like, Angelica, I need this report. She'd be like, Okay, it's here, like five minutes later. So we were like, you will be with us, you'll experience it, you'll get to like see Australia and stuff. And she's so excited. And I said, if we do, it will be at the end of 2026. So I'll like, I'll let you have that a little bit at the time.

SPEAKER_00 46:32

So stay tuned, but look, we will definitely do it again. We've been we've had huge support from all the um a lot of the suppliers and stuff that come along to the first one. They they want like people want it to happen again.

SPEAKER_03 46:43

We've got all those suppliers that weren't really interested, but were poking their heads around the corner and saying how cool it was. We'll definitely be waiting to hear from you. That was very good.

SPEAKER_00 46:53

Yeah, a lot of people that thought we couldn't pull it off, and and a lot of suppliers that told us that it wouldn't work and that we wouldn't get good numbers are now eating their words because um but they're welcome to come next time. They're welcome to come the next time. But they're stay tuned for that.

What Camille Actually Does Day To Day

SPEAKER_03 47:10

It was we had great feedback, Dwayne. Like I a lot of people that were there probably know your story, know what we're doing. Um, majority of people will had no idea, and we probably weren't very we thought we communicated what the event was gonna be about, but a lot of people were surprised with different things that happened that they didn't think were gonna happen.

SPEAKER_00 47:35

Yeah, it's very it's it's it was a first for the industry. Like the building industry isn't used to seeing personal development, business development.

SPEAKER_03 47:42

Yeah, it was like a big one in a big conference. So um, but yeah, the feedback was really, really good.

SPEAKER_00 47:49

Matt Rosing, uh I was heard him on a podcast the other day. He's he's he's added some uh business stuff to his build show this year. So uh inspiration. I don't know if that was uh influenced by my event, Matt, but uh hopefully it was.

SPEAKER_03 48:00

But it was really good, and he was lovely. That was he was fantastic, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 48:05

Paula Paula Back Laporte was unbelievable. She's like a second grandma now.

SPEAKER_03 48:09

Yeah, Helen, who else? Rick Rushton, Joe Lucins, like and the panels, um TX guys, trademat boys. Yeah, thanks to them. Um the women in construction panel, um, Gina, me, Claire, Kim.

SPEAKER_00 48:28

Yeah, and then the all the the bills we had on the builders panel as well. Yeah, so feedback. Yeah, stay tuned for that because it we will it's definitely on the cards. We do have some big things coming.

SPEAKER_03 48:39

But um big shout out to Kylie and Lauren, my friends, for helping me. And the kids and mum. Yeah, yeah. Crystal and Craig, Cafe Lacoon at Wavel Heights. If anyone wants a coffee.

SPEAKER_00 48:50

Yeah, our kids aren't like were unreal at that event. They helped out so much.

SPEAKER_03 48:54

We they learned what customer service is like, good and bad.

SPEAKER_00 48:58

Yeah, they negotiated their rate for like we paid them for the hours they worked that day, and then they at the end of the day, they were blind. Like when we added it up, they're like, Oh, look, is that what I get? And they were super excited. And then um they ended up coming back the next day to help me pack up. They're like, Oh, if we come again tomorrow, we'll get paid that again. It's like, yeah, like it's unreal to see that we can um influence the kids in business as well. Yeah, um, but yeah, stay tuned because we'll see, we do have some big things coming up, um, not just events, so yeah, definitely stay tuned. Um, but yeah, what about a bit of a wrap it? Like, we're we're definitely approaching Christmas 25.

SPEAKER_03 49:38

Yeah, so we've done like one of our biggest years in a long time in construction with the houses that we've done.

SPEAKER_00 49:45

So most of this year, um well, for all of this year, we've had over sort of 11, 12 million dollars work under construction um pretty much all year at any one time.

SPEAKER_03 49:58

Um we've had new staff come on, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 50:03

New staff come on, new supervisor come on. Um, the building business has has had a really great year, incredible clients, and we've we've still got a heap of clients going through our pack process, like a lot of jobs coming up for the next few years. Walter. Um Camille's been flat out with quotes back, like quotes spec is going really well. Quote E's. Quote E's has had a great year. Camille's been flat out with quote ease. So uh for any trade ease builders out there that are looking for the best quoting, estimating proposal software in the industry, make sure you reach out.

SPEAKER_02 50:33

Yeah, I'm gonna be able to do that.

SPEAKER_00 50:34

Um LibLuck Build's gone. LiveLife Build's been great. Another really great year. Um, stay tuned, we've got massive things coming for LibLuck Build next year. Um we're couple of personal developments, buying and selling different things. Got our DA for the farm.

SPEAKER_03 50:50

We learnt how to brand cattle and that process, that was interesting. Anyone knows a farmer out there that has lots of cattle, I'd like to see how they do their paperwork because that was also very intense. Let's talk about the farm for a little bit. That was like I understand you have to tag animals, right? So you know what there is, but there must be a better way to do this. It is insane. Also, if you need to find a brand for a cat for a cow, like for your farm, you can't just go and find anything that's available, like you have to physically put in just another like I put it off for months, it was really, really painful.

SPEAKER_00 51:31

Yeah, so the farm's progressed really well this year. Um, definitely really enjoying the cattle. Yeah, they're cool.

SPEAKER_03 51:37

The DA is done, we're working on our BA.

SPEAKER_00 51:40

Yeah, like people wonder why developments take so long. Like our DA for our farm took just over two years and a shitload of money.

SPEAKER_02 51:49

Yeah, lots of consultants.

SPEAKER_00 51:51

We got that back in February. We we thought we would be building on the farm uh July, September.

SPEAKER_03 51:58

We were hoping for the cooler months to start, yes.

SPEAKER_00 52:01

And we still haven't got our BA. So we got through the DA and then a heap of spanners got thrown in at us about the BA um because of the type of development we're doing, and then so look, this it we're not experts at this. Like we've done plenty of developing now, but we've never done a farm. And because of what we're trying to do there, it's it's been approved as an eco-tourism resort.

SPEAKER_03 52:30

Not resort, it's just ecotourism. Which um don't add any words to anything.

SPEAKER_00 52:35

I'm sure it's resort on the because of how many buildings we're having there.

SPEAKER_03 52:39

I'll have to check that.

SPEAKER_00 52:40

Which and so that's led to it's not just a standard building approval, and there's accessibility issues, and then the building code makes all these standards for standard building in built-up areas, but and then they try and apply them to a farm, and like it's just it's insane. So we've learned a lot, it's it's costing a lot of money, and that's another thing.

SPEAKER_03 53:03

Like, when you're doing that, you gotta add that into your normal day. So it's that's why I talk about like juggling it every day, it's not the same because yeah, one hour I'm trying to find a brand for a cattle, the next hour I'm talking to a client about their windows and doors. So, like, it's very, very different.

SPEAKER_00 53:20

Yeah, but we've learned a lot, it's and it's coming along well.

SPEAKER_03 53:23

And um yeah, check out breathe at rules beach on Instagram, breathe underscore rules beach.

The Level Up Experience: Why It Mattered

SPEAKER_00 53:29

Yeah, it's an incredible property, and not just because it's ours, but um it is beautiful. We opened it up this year to um hip camp. Yeah, so uh got some income coming in from it, and uh the feedback from the all the campers and people that are staying there has been amazing. So yeah, we'll continue to build on on that. Um we've got some big things coming up in the future.

SPEAKER_02 53:52

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 53:53

We're uh Camille's we we've got another development, we've got another business coming. Um there's a lot going on.

SPEAKER_02 54:03

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 54:06

Yeah. And then on top of that, the girls are getting stuck into their bow racing and horses and yeah.

SPEAKER_03 54:13

It's the next yeah, the next 18 months are gonna be insane.

SPEAKER_00 54:18

Yeah, good insane.

SPEAKER_03 54:20

Good insane, but yeah, very and venturing into things that we don't know. So again, a complete new industry, learning curve, like yeah, understanding rules and regulations, all sorts of stuff. So it's yeah, it I for some reason I'm not finding it scary or worrying.

SPEAKER_00 54:43

Yeah, it's it's definitely exciting. Something that Camille has only sort of um, I guess because I never explained it, but everything we do is business. So even though like the farm was a goal to have a farm, like it the farm is a business, so it's set up as a business, we trade as a business. Um the rental properties, the rental properties are all set up like businesses, whether it's personal or in the super fun, like everything we do is a business, and um there's multiple reasons why we do it like that. But Camille, I'm not sure, like over the last two years, I think you've got a lot better understanding of that.

SPEAKER_03 55:24

So yeah, um but um like recently we learned about who you bring into your business. So like when I talk business, like pe consultants or people that you trust might not end up being like the people that they are in business. So if you might know someone how am I gonna say this? You trust people that you know to do the right thing by you in your business, and like something that I've working on now is gonna be imp impacted by something that was happening recently, and thinking that you trust someone and they're gonna do the right thing by you and then to be burnt, like is a very interesting process. So, like and a personal, you take it so personally. So I just think from now on, I'm very aware of who we mix with business and ple not pleasure, but like personal, you know.

SPEAKER_00 56:31

Yeah, I think something to point out because I I assume most people that listen to this podcast are listening because you you want growth, you want personal development, you want to um you want to excel in your life, all those types of things. And one thing that Camille and I like we struggle with imposter syndrome. Um yeah, I don't really tell anyone what we've held ourselves back a lot because we worry about what other people think.

SPEAKER_03 56:59

Um well we've we've other seen other people that we know who are successful being taken advantage of and like have stopped being friends with them because I can't stand seeing it. So like I don't want it to happen to us.

SPEAKER_00 57:15

Yeah, but then now it's and then but it started like this. The um reality is like the the more successful you are, the better you do, the harder you work. It's just I don't know, it's human nature. Like people get jealous, like people want to the people the the people that you feel should be your biggest supporters end up being the ones that want to see you fall. Like um and then there there tends to be a lot of jealousy and it it's quite it's quite painful, isn't it? Really?

SPEAKER_03 57:47

But um we don't know, like you can't like I don't even want to go into it with this person why they did what they did, but I yeah, I'm not I'm not doing it again. Yeah, just pure and simple. I'm not like I'll just research people that I need and pick the best one for the job. I'm not doing favours anymore for anybody. Yeah, favours That sounds really harsh, but like I'm done.

SPEAKER_00 58:14

And we've said it for a long time and we we're I'll do a favour. If you need sorry to we went back on our we've we've made it, we've made some tough decisions and said that we don't deal with family, we don't deal with friends, and we did we backflipped on our our um our well I'm not sure what it even call it, but we slipped on this one because we thought it would work, but it just it just hasn't. So I think for anyone out there that's growing, like you're always going to have issues with friends, family. Um and Camille struggles with it more than I do, but um acquaintances, acquaintances and stuff, but we we have a really good um a great friend that gives us a lot of advice. Um they're investors in one of our businesses, um they've done really, really well for themselves, and we really respect what they say and stuff, and they've told us for a little while, as they've seen us doing better, that you've got to treat everything black and white. Yeah, like it's it's as simple as that, and there's gonna be situations where the other person may think it's a bit nasty or it's not the right thing to do, but at the end of the day, it's you've if you it's as simple as that. Like everything's black and white. Yeah. Um, and if you you run your businesses and your life like that, it actually ends up being easier. And I think believe it or not, you actually find out who your true friends are.

SPEAKER_03 59:43

Yeah. I really struggled with that piece of advice because you know, I'm wanna support who, you know, I I want to support others in business and that, but you can't expect them to support you back the way that you want to support them. So like we've supported this person and given them business, and like it's so disappointing that it's not reciprocated, but it's a really good lesson learned. Yeah, I think you can like you always say you can't expect, you can't expect, but I'm like, but like there should be some like good standards.

SPEAKER_00 1:00:20

I it's something I learned a long time ago, and it's taken Camille longer to um get on board with it, but yeah, you you can't you shouldn't expect things from people, like and and it's just reality, like generally in life, friends and family are the ones that will give you the most pain, cause you the most grief. Uh, advantage of you the most. So um, yeah, just be careful with what you do because yeah, the more successful you are, the more you grow. It's it's well, it's all growing pains, it's all part of it.

SPEAKER_03 1:00:53

We're here to, but don't get me wrong, like like we are here to support our family and friends, the genuine ones that like you know, we know aren't taking the piss. Yeah. But yeah, it's just it is.

Kids, Money Lessons And Family Help

SPEAKER_00 1:01:08

Yeah, Camille and I like well, we're off.

SPEAKER_03 1:01:10

Sorry, I'm still on the fence. I'm like trying really hard here.

SPEAKER_00 1:01:13

We're um like Camille struggles with this. Like the better we do, the more we can help other people. Like, we're um like we're actually off tomorrow afternoon to um the Astley Special School. Like we donated, we've donated a bit of a few things over the years, but we donated some more money and they uh they've invited us along tomorrow afternoon. The kids want to show us what they've purchased with the money that we've donated to the school. So that's um last time I went there I couldn't stop crying because uh I'm pretty emotional around um disabled and autistic kids. I I I think they're incredible humans and they deserve a lot.

SPEAKER_03 1:01:50

So yeah, they made some very cool stuff last time, too.

SPEAKER_00 1:01:53

Yeah, I'm really really excited about that tomorrow. So look, yeah, I guess don't take this stuff the wrong way. Like we everything we do is about the better we do, the more people we can help, the more people we can support.

SPEAKER_03 1:02:03

But and you got some big ideas for that next year too, which would be very cool if you can pull them off with some other builders and things and yeah, yeah, I got some definitely got some big stuff coming along those lines. But to 2026, yeah, I mean we're October, so this winners is coming out.

SPEAKER_00 1:02:19

Yeah, so this this podcast will be out by the end of 25. And um look, all I can say is stay tuned. Like we with Camille's help and the rest of our team, we we do have some incredible stuff coming next year. Um around or with all the businesses, but definitely around my personal brand and um and live life build.

SPEAKER_03 1:02:39

So and my special project.

SPEAKER_00 1:02:41

And yeah, definitely stay tuned because uh we can't I I definitely can't wait to announce Camille's next venture. It's um gonna be pretty special. So um what else do we want to talk about before we get out of here?

SPEAKER_03 1:02:55

I think just congratulations on what you've done this year, and you and you as well. What's um I'm sure you're talking about your other thing that I spoke to Helen about today.

SPEAKER_00 1:03:06

I don't know what you spoke to Helen about, but um she interviewed me. Oh yeah, the um I'm sure you picked up through this podcast. So Camille can't take a compliment. She puts everyone else before herself. So the um Where are you going? Like you're just saying it then, no, congratulations for everything you've done this year. But it's not just me, it's like we do this together.

SPEAKER_03 1:03:24

Yes, we do this together, but you've done a great job. Yeah, you've like and um actually I was listening to a song this morning, No Bad Days by McLamore. Everyone should listen to that every morning. Um there was stuff about their like standing your ground, keeping like keep what you're doing, don't listen to the All that stuff. Like, I really struggle with some of the comments people put on your Facebook and Instagram about what you do. I don't know how you ignore it. I'm like, I think it's insane. But like just keep doing it's helping so many people on that. The event really showed that people are invested in what you're doing and helping them. So like I think, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 1:04:07

Some of it's hard, but I'd I'd tell me all the time I'd I don't have time for people that aren't improving their lives or are stuck in the trenches. Because like if if they and a lot of people comment because they don't understand the intent behind it.

SPEAKER_03 1:04:22

And they don't watch the whole video. They don't watch the whole video. Watch the whole video and then learn it from it.

SPEAKER_00 1:04:26

Um a very big guest we brought out to Australia this year. Like, don't don't look at your comments. Yeah. Um before we go, because I I know it's something else that a lot of wives and partners um struggle with. Like, how do you switch off? How do you chill out?

SPEAKER_03 1:04:43

Um I love a good reality TV show. I know that's a lame in some people's eyes, Dorane, but I love it. Um I have mine beehive that um I check and go and chill out and watch them. Like watching them makes you feel very insignificant in this world. Um the chickens, and like a homebody. I mean, my veggie gun's a lot to be desired at the moment, but walking with my friend Kylie, like I've like we've been we've just cancelled the gym membership. But because we miss talking. Like we're walking now and talking because it's so good just to walk and talk. I did that with Cara when before we left Roadcliffe, and like that was it's like your debrief, like go for a walk with a friend or call a friend or whatever, like it does the world of good. Um what else I do? Washing is very therapeutic for me.

SPEAKER_00 1:05:47

Camille does a lot of stuff that I'd tell her all the time, like, get someone else to do that. But she it's her thing, she does it, she does it.

SPEAKER_03 1:05:58

Yeah, um, but yeah, the bees doing like having a hobby that kind of just makes you like just question your day, really. Like having the bees was it, I wanted the bees not for the honey, but for like the planet. But I wanted to learn something new and yeah, just I don't know, have a new little hobby, but just even sitting down there watching them going in and out of the hive is very therapeutic. Like when I go check the chickens sometimes, and you look over into the sun and you can see them zooming in and out, you're like, man, they're busy, like they have to fly so far to get what they need to make sure their colony survives. I know it sounds pretty lame, but it's gives things perspective. Yeah, but it makes you realize, and it's insane. So I love it. Just stuff like that. Yeah, it's everyone just have to go out and get a beehive.

SPEAKER_00 1:06:57

Yeah, no, I really appreciate coming on and sharing some insights into you. We'll um I'm sure we'll get Camille back on the podcast again at some point.

SPEAKER_03 1:07:05

Um I'll be coming on next year when I'm announcing my new project.

SPEAKER_00 1:07:08

Yeah, we will. We'll do it, we'll do a special podcast for uh we might do a location podcast for that one.

SPEAKER_03 1:07:14

That'll be cool.

Farm Project, Approvals And Patience

SPEAKER_00 1:07:15

Sensational. But um look I really appreciate all the support from um everyone that's uh listens, that watches, that um supports my social media. Um look if you're if you're a trader or a builder that listens to my podcasts, share this one with your wife or your partner. Like give them an insight into um how we operate in our building business. Like I say it all the time like the building industry would fall over if it wasn't for the support, the work, the input, um all that from wives and partners. Uh nine times out of ten, doing it for free, doing it after they've done their day job, doing it after they've done dinner and the kids stuff.

SPEAKER_02 1:07:56

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 1:07:56

Um, so we really need to like Live Life Build is a massive supporter of wives and partners. We've got a um we've got a separate wives and partners group within our Elevate program.

SPEAKER_03 1:08:07

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 1:08:07

Um and also next year we're doing a special event for wives and partners. Um yeah, it the industry really needs to value what wives and partners do more.

SPEAKER_03 1:08:20

Yeah, sorry to interrupt. Um, the Facebook groups, um, builders wives, trade wives, there's a few others out there. Um there is a lot of good information on there and a lot of questions people ask that you also might be thinking of. So um go through them and have a look. Um, some everyone's not always right on there, so don't take advice like 100%. Always look into things, but there's lots of um references and referrals and stuff that people put on there. Um the pages are called Builders Wise and Tradie Wise because they were made by them, but anyone can jump on there, I'm sure. It doesn't have to be, it's just a word. Um, so yeah, check it out.

SPEAKER_00 1:09:08

Always make sure you get your own legal accounting for the advice.

SPEAKER_03 1:09:11

Sorry. But I mean that some people just get on there and be like, I'm having trouble with this. How can you help? And there's so many people that you know, you've got this, try this, or I use it this way, or I do this, or happy to reach out. Um, so yeah, jump on there and you can be anonymous, you don't have to say who you are.

Friends, Favouritism And Black‑And‑White Deals

SPEAKER_00 1:09:28

Yeah. Well, thanks again, Babe. Appreciate you coming on. If you've got any questions, if you share this with your wife or partner, or um you have a certain issue or a problem, like let us know. Like we could we'll play it some questions and we can we can come back on for a QA or something. Because uh look, this podcast is all about creating a new building industry. And to create a new building industry, we need to all educate ourselves, we need to educate our clients, um, and we need to support each other, and that's what this is all about. So, look, as always, like, share, subscribe. Um, go to my website, DuanePiss.com. Get on board with your merchandise so you can help continue the growth in me creating a new building industry. Look forward to seeing you on the next one. All right, guys, I want to introduce you to a really exciting new product that I believe is going to play a massive role in Australia building healthier homes. As you all know, I'm extremely passionate about healthy homes, and I'm doing a lot of research and putting a lot of time and effort into making sure my construction business is leading the way when it comes to building healthy homes here in Australia. We've teamed up with the guys from Highwood Timber. Highwood Timber are pioneering condensation management with their high flow ventilated LVL baton system. High flow battons give builders a stronger, straighter, and smarter way to create a ventilated cavity behind cladding and underneath roofs without compromising on structural performance. While tackling condensation to improve building health and ease of insulation, highwood battons are built to perform. When it comes to dealing with condensation and ventilation, high flow battons will help you create continuous ventilated cavities behind all your cladding and underneath your roof sheeting. They reduce condensation risk and support healthier, longer lasting buildings. Highwood timber battons are also in alignment with the proposed NCC condensation management requirements as well as passive house ventilation requirements. Being an engineered LVL product, they are stronger, straighter, and more dimensionally stable than a solid material such as pine. This helps resist warping, twisting, and shrinkage, ensuring more consistent installs less prone to splitting than solid timber. Highwood timber batten are precisely manufactured, meaning that your installation will be faster and easier than other products on the market. The part that I like the most about these battons are they are H3 treated for long-term protection against decay and turmoiles. They use a waterborne H3 treatment which reduces reactivity with membranes and adhesives when compared to LOSP. These are the exact battens that you want to be using on your homes and your builds if you are considering building healthier homes or passive homes. Check them out, Highwood Timber Products. So have fun. Pick the best pick the best one. No pick the best one, yeah. All right, let's go. G'day guys, welcome back to another episode of Level Up. We are back in the shed this afternoon for a this is definitely gonna be a cracking episode. So uh we've got uh my better half with us again today, Camille, and we've actually got Walter on uh join us today as well in the shed. So hopefully he uh stays still and doesn't go too silly in here. But seriously, he just wants to be beside us all the time.

SPEAKER_03 1:18:35

No, he loves it.

SPEAKER_00 1:18:37

So cool. How are you going, babe?

SPEAKER_03 1:18:38

Good, how are you?

SPEAKER_00 1:18:39

Good, how's your day been?

SPEAKER_03 1:18:41

Um busy. Busy, busy.

SPEAKER_00 1:18:45

What have been up to today?

SPEAKER_03 1:18:46

Um I don't know. No, what have I been? I'm so sorry. Turn my brain, my brain doesn't work. I'll just go, I've I've been telling what you do.

SPEAKER_00 1:19:02

Quoting, estimating, calling people, doing emails, talking to sharing about accounts. I always uh hold it off the stage.

SPEAKER_03 1:19:10

Well, because I have to I like have a million things going through my head. Okay, start, ask me the question again.

SPEAKER_00 1:19:15

You make that a teaser, Ervin. All right. Take two.