The Puzzle Factory: Real Talk for NZ Electricians and Trade Businesses

Keith Of All Trades has built a massive following by saying what every tradie is thinking. From customer nightmares and cat door controversies to life on the tools, social media, business ownership and the realities of being a Kiwi tradie, Keith joins The Puzzle Factory for his first ever podcast interview.We dive into the stories behind the videos, the state of the trades in New Zealand, dealing with difficult customers, running a business, online fame and plenty of laughs along the way.Whether you're a tradie, business owner, apprentice or just enjoy a good yarn, this is one you won't want to miss.In this episode:• The story behind Keith of All Trades• The famous cat doors• Customer horror stories• Running a trade business in New Zealand• Social media and tradie content creation• The funniest jobs he's ever seen• Industry frustrations and challenges• What tradies really think but won't say• Life on the tools• The future of the tradesPowered by NZ Trade Group.DISCLAIMERThis podcast is intended for entertainment, education and general discussion purposes only.Keith of All Trades is a satirical character and many of the stories, opinions, comments and scenarios discussed throughout this episode are presented for comedic and entertainment purposes.The views, opinions and statements expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Puzzle Factory, NZ Trade Group, its employees, sponsors, partners or affiliates.Nothing discussed in this episode should be considered professional, legal, financial, business or trade advice. Viewers should seek appropriate professional advice relevant to their own circumstances.All content is provided in good humour and should be interpreted in the context of entertainment and open conversation.https://www.instagram.com/keith_of_all_trades/

Country bars, tradie life, social media, and controversy... Jesse James jumps into The Puzzle Factory and doesn’t hold back. We talk the rise of Jolene, why authenticity matters, trades vs university, the Trade Tour, and the comments that sparked headlines after the "Temu Country Bar" controversy. Plus near death stories, tradie yarns, and Jesse’s advice for young apprentices.What's inside:• Why Jesse built Jolene and what makes it different• Trade Tour and helping young Kiwis into the trades• Tradie stories that went badly wrong• Country culture, social media and authenticity• "Temu Country Bar" controversy explained• Quickfire "This or That" questions• Advice for young tradiesPowered by NZ Trade GroupNot financial advice. Just real conversations.

Mikey Smith from Guardian Smith joins The Puzzle Factory for one of the realest conversations we’ve had yet.
From growing up around mechanics and rental cars to building a finance business with nearly 50 staff, Mikey breaks down the brutal realities of business, trades, property investing, recession fears, and what’s really happening in New Zealand right now.
We get into:
• Why trades have been undervalued for decades
• The harsh truth about starting your own business
• NZ’s property market and whether housing is still worth investing in
• Recession fears and the current economy
• War, oil prices, inflation and what it means for Kiwis
• Why most people fail in business
• Customer service lessons from dealing with chaos
• The mental pressure of growing a company
• Why “working on the business” changes everything
• Townhouses, regulation and the future of NZ housing
• Why there’s always opportunity somewhere
This one goes deep into entrepreneurship, mindset, financial pressure, trades, politics, and modern New Zealand culture.
Powered by NZ Trade Group.

We’re back for Season 3.
This season goes deeper.
Business, money, mindset, and the real stories behind it all.
Better guests. Bigger conversations. Less fluff.
If you’ve been following from the start, you’ll feel the difference straight away.
If you’re new here, you’ve picked a good time to jump in.Subscribe and stay close. This coming in like Artemis II get ready for SPLASHDOWN!!

This bonus episode of The Puzzle Factory features a conversation with Braeden from Voltsy, exploring one of the most unique career paths in the electrical industry.Braeden shares stories from his upbringing, including how he would approach builders directly on the street to find work and get his foot in the door. We dive into his time working with advanced technology in Sweden and the highly structured culture that he describes as almost cult like.We talk about the early development of Voltsy, the mindset behind building a brand that stands out in the New Zealand electrical space, and what the future holds for the company as the industry continues to evolve.A genuine and insightful conversation for any electrician or trade business owner looking for inspiration and fresh ideas.The Puzzle Factory Real Talk for NZ Electricians and Trade Businesses.