What tradies won't say publicly

In this episode, we sit down with Joel from Heidi Build and Andrew “Hoppo” from Hoppo Construction for a no-script, no-agenda chat.It starts with what makes tradie creators actually work online: being approachable, having an opinion, and showing up as yourself. Joel breaks down why the polished, curated Instagram approach did nothing for him, then the one raw timber-quality rant that finally cut through.From there, we get into the stuff people don’t always say out loud. The stigma that tradies aren’t intelligent, why that stereotype still lingers, and the moment Joel’s own brother hit him with the line: “I’m not one of your dumb tradie mates.” We talk about what that does to your confidence, especially when you come from a culture where university is seen as the only “good” path.It also turns into a proper Mindful Builder conversation about bullying, body image, and parenting. Hamish shares what it’s like watching your kid go through it, and Joel talks about how he handles it at home by listening, asking questions, and helping his kids feel heard.We also cover the real side of “influencing” in the trades: DeWalt vs Makita, how brand partnerships actually work when they’re not forced, why you shouldn’t monetise too early, and what happens when you say yes to something that doesn’t align.CHAPTER MARKERS00:00 Introduction00:18 What Makes Tradie Creators Work: Confidence and Being Approachable01:22 Why Curated Instagram Content Failed03:00 DeWalt vs Makita: How Tool Sponsorships Actually Work09:33 Feeling Valued: Why DeWalt Support Helped Them Lean Into Content11:22 Quick Tradie Eats and the Misconceptions About Tradespeople13:12 “Tradies Are Dumb”: The Stigma and Why It Still Exists24:10 Confidence, Bullying, and Being the Overweight Kid at School26:25 Parenting Through Bullying: Listening, Questions, and Helping Kids Feel Heard31:50 Team Culture and Leadership: Honesty, Vulnerability, and Check-Ins37:00 The “Wellness Survey” Debate: Corporate Systems vs Trade Reality45:27 Influencer Goals: Cars, GM, and Brand Partnerships That Fit Your IdentityOur Sponsors:Pro Clima - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/proclimaMEGT - https://mindful-builder.captivate.fm/megtConnect with Andrew - Hopkins Construction Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopkinsconstruction/?hl=enConnect with Andrew Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joel_heidibuild/?hl=enConnect with us on Instagram: @themindfulbuilderpodConnect with Hamish:Instagram: @sanctumhomesWebsite: www.yoursanctum.com.au/Connect with Matt: Instagram: @carlandconstructionsWebsite: www.carlandconstructions.com/Mentioned in this episode:Proclima Sponsor