Bonus: Unlocking electrical business potential | 103

Feature Episode: Inside Strip Back Podcast

In this special feature, I join Steven and Keith from The Inside Strip Back Podcast — two Dublin electricians doing an incredible job highlighting stories from the trades.
 

• The journey from apprentice to business owner in Australia 🇦🇺
• Why looking professional means getting paid professional
• The importance of systems, pricing, and mindset in the trades
• How AI and automation are reshaping small trade businesses
• Building a business that runs — and sells — without you

If you enjoyed this chat, go follow The Inside Strip Back Podcast and check out more episodes featuring great Irish tradespeople.

🚀 Rocket your electrical business marketing in 9 minutes 👉🏼 HERE

🤔 Questions? Ask me on Instagram 👉🏼 HERE

🤝 Work with Alan 👉🏼 HERE

Transcript

Hand me the next players and give me the insights I need to strip back this cable.
Welcome to Simplified Sparky Marketing.

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of jumping on the Inside Strip Back podcast with Steven and Keith — two Dublin electricians doing a great job with their show. Their podcast is focused on the trades, but there’s all sorts of other good stuff in there too.

If you enjoy this podcast, I recommend checking out some of their other episodes. You’ll enjoy it — the lads are doing an excellent job.

Ironically, they record out of Robus headquarters in Dublin. I never knew this, but Robus is actually an Irish brand! I always thought it was just used in Ireland, not that it originated there. So, Robus — I’ve just given you a plug. If you want to send a few bob my way, my bank details are in the show notes, right next to the micro-email series that’ll improve your marketing in nine minutes. See what I did there?

Let’s get into the podcast.

Steven:
Alan, what a guest — what a great way to start it off. I think you really enlightened us with the systems that can be put in place in business, and also for anyone looking to go abroad to Australia to plug their trade over there. Thanks for taking the time to join myself and Keith in the studio.

Alan:
Yeah, look, we had a little mix-up this week — we got the day wrong, but we finally got it sorted. Bit of confusion between the 29th and 30th, but we’re here now!

Steven:
Yeah, we’ve decided it’s a new tactic this season — make sure our guests get a good night’s sleep in a nearby hotel first!

Alan:
Haha, yeah! Actually, last night, I was staying right next to Tallaght Stadium, and I noticed on the screen that Shamrock Rovers were playing Galway. I thought, “That can’t be tonight?” Checked it — and it was! So that became my night out — Shamrock Rovers vs Galway.

I didn’t even realise it was the league decider until the whistle blew and they started singing Champione. It was a bit underwhelming though — they didn’t go too wild with the celebrations.

Steven:
Yeah, they’ve had a tough run lately.

Alan:
Exactly. Their form was dropping, but a point would’ve sealed the league, and they got the win.

Keith:
We saw on your Instagram today you had a full-circle moment — seeing someone on the sideline?

Alan:
Yeah! So, episode 32 of my podcast — I went back and listened today — I spoke about something that stuck with me from when I played in the Kennedy Cup. Our coach, John Caulfield, told us: “If you look professional, you’ll play professional.”

He made us scrub our boots before every game. It was about setting standards — if you look the part, you’ll play the part. That stuck with me, and I twisted it into business: if you look professional, you get paid professional.

If you’re driving a beat-up van that’s not sign-written and you want to charge top dollar — it’s not going to fly. But if you rock up in a clean, branded van, uniform spotless — people will pay professional rates.

Keith:
Do you think that’s where trades have gone a bit downhill — and why there’s a need for people like you to bring professionalism back into focus?

Alan:
Yeah, I think so. A lot depends on your apprenticeship — who you work under. If your boss keeps his cards close to his chest, you just learn to turn up, work, and collect your pay.

Many employers don’t educate their staff because they’re afraid they’ll lose them. But the flip side is — what if you don’t train them, and they stay?

Especially in Australia, depending on the state, you might need to do a business course to get your contractor’s licence — like in Western Australia. But in New South Wales, once you’ve got your electrical licence, you just apply for a contractor’s licence and off you go.

It ruins the industry — people undercut each other without knowing their costs. They forget about insurance, registration, tools, wear and tear — all of that adds up. Many aren’t even breaking even.

So yeah, the ball’s been dropped by employers not explaining the real cost of running a business.

Steven:
Do you think business owners hide too much — out of fear that employees will start their own companies?

Alan:
Yeah, that’s part of it. But I know plenty of people who could easily go out on their own and don’t want to. They just want to do a good day’s work, go home to their family, and not think about quotes, invoices, or admin.

For those types, the best thing you can do is give them skin in the game — like profit-sharing. It keeps them motivated and invested.

Keith:
On the topic of Ireland vs Australia — we heard the Irish government wants to entice tradespeople home. What’s the draw in Australia for contractors right now?

Alan:
Yeah, I’ve seen that. But honestly, they don’t make it easy for people to move back. Insurance skyrockets, mortgages are hard to get, you’re treated like you’re starting from scratch.

A lot of people move back because of family — the “second kid syndrome.” They realise they’ve no support network around them in Australia. That’s what brought my sister home.

It’s funny though — after 15 years abroad, I feel torn. Ireland will always be home, but my adult life has been in Australia. When I come back, it’s like I never left — but I’ve missed 15 years of weddings, events, and milestones. That’s the trade-off.

Keith:
What made you go to Australia in the first place?

Alan:
I ran from the GFC. Straight up. I finished my apprenticeship in 2009, but Ireland was dead. I ended up going to Germany to finish my time, then came back — still tumbleweeds. A mate told me about a job in Sydney, so myself and my buddy Con booked flights and went for it.

We landed with no accommodation, went to a pub that said “accommodation” over the door — turned out it didn’t even do rooms! Two eejits straight off the plane.

Eventually, we found work — but that first year or two was rough. Total uncertainty. No licence, no steady job. But I kept pushing, got my South Australia licence through a loophole, then transferred it to New South Wales.

After a few months, I got a sponsorship — stayed with that company four years. Great crew, great experience.

Keith:
Was it tough getting licensed in different states?

Alan:
Yeah — total money racket. Each state needs its own licence, even though the rules are the same. I had three at one point — Western Australia was $400, the rest around $100 each. It’s ridiculous.

Steven:
So what drew you to electrical work in the first place?

Alan:
Tinkering with cars. I loved wiring and seeing something work. My mum actually heard an ad on the radio for an apprenticeship while I was doing my Leaving Cert — I jumped at it. Didn’t care about school after that, I just wanted to work with my hands.

Keith:
And what led from there to starting Simplified Sparky?

Alan:
I started from zero — no network, no referrals. I was using lead-generation sites just to get jobs. But once I got into marketing and business education, everything changed.

Eventually, I realised I loved helping others with their businesses more than doing electrical work itself. I wanted to start Simplified Sparky years earlier but was too scared — worried what people would think. Now, I couldn’t care less.

It’s the best decision I’ve made — coaching electricians, helping them stop making the same mistakes I did.

Keith:
What’s the Simplified Sparky framework?

Alan:
It’s built around three phases — Before, During, and After.

Before: define your niche, target market, and messaging. Messaging is everything.
During: focus on your media — website, socials, Google profile. Handle leads properly, quote professionally, and build trust.
After: deliver a world-class experience and keep clients coming back — through automated emails, SMS, and consistent communication.

It’s a full flywheel — client retention feeds back into new business. Most people drop the ball at that last step.

Steven:
Has AI changed the game for you?

Alan:
Massively. I love it. ServiceM8 just launched an AI phone-answering system — you can name it, give it a personality, and it answers your calls when you’re busy.

They’re also rolling out an AI assistant that automates admin tasks — quoting, follow-ups, all that stuff. It’s going to be huge for small trades businesses.

Keith:
Where can people find you?

Alan:
Instagram — just search Alan Collins. Or head to simplifiedsparky.com.
I’ve also got a free nine-day email series to improve your marketing in nine minutes — link’s in the show notes.

And if you reply to any of those emails, it’s me on the other end — not a bot.

Keith:
Alright, hardest question — we’re starting a new Spotify playlist for the season. What’s your song?

Alan:
Bruce Springsteen – Dancing in the Dark.
Because “dancing in the dark” means the power’s gone out — and you can’t start a fire without a spark. Perfect for a sparky!

Steven:
Love it. Thanks so much, Alan. It’s been brilliant having you on.

Alan:
Thanks so much, lads. It’s been humbling. Less than a year ago I wasn’t doing any of this — and now to be back home, on a podcast about trades, it’s unreal. Appreciate it.