From Roofer to Real Business: Craig Talks with Jamie Taylor on Trades, Growth and Knowing Your Numbers

In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray is joined by Jamie Taylor, founder of Taylor Roofs and host of the popular Taylor Talks Trades podcast. Jamie shares his journey from apprentice roofer to building a multi-million-pound business – and the wake-up calls, mindset shifts, and financial lessons he learned along the way.

From realising he didn’t “own a business, just a job” to making the leap into serious financial control, Jamie’s story is one that will resonate with thousands of business owners in the trades and construction world – and beyond.

It’s an episode packed with practical insights, honest reflections, and powerful takeaways about growth, resilience, and what it really means to run a business that works without you.

Key Topics Discussed:The turning point that made Jamie stop and start taking finance seriouslyWhy most tradespeople end up owning a job, not a business – and how to change thatWhat Jamie learned after working with three different accountantsHow he uses data, scorecards, and forecasting to make better decisionsWhy personal development matters just as much as process and pricingMoving away from subcontract work and into a profitable, scalable homeowner model Key Takeaways:

✅ You don’t need to become an accountant – but you do need to understand your numbers✅ If you can’t step away for 3 months without the business collapsing, it’s not a business✅ Good decisions come from real-time data – not annual accounts✅ You can build a multi-million pound business in the trades without selling your soul to subcontract work✅ Progress starts when you stop running blind and start using numbers as a tool

Memorable Quotes:

📢 “You’ve not got a business – you just own a job. That was the best advice I ever got.”📢 “Once we had the numbers, I got obsessed – I realised I was playing a real-life game.”📢 “You don’t need to be an accountant. Just find a way to tell the story of your business in a language you understand.”📢 “Running by your bank balance is not a business strategy – it’s a gamble.”📢 “We built a business that works for us – and we’ve proved you can scale it in the right way.”

Timestamps:

02:48 The Importance of Trades and Apprenticeships06:11 Challenges in the Trades Industry08:17 Starting and Growing a Roofing Business12:41 The Role of Accountants and Business Coaches14:26 Networking and Mentorship19:01 Book Recommendations and Early Lessons19:34 Discovering Financial Tracking20:31 Importance of Knowing Your Numbers21:30 Transition to Management Accounts25:13 Challenges with Subcontracting28:06 Focusing on Private Homeowners28:49 Scaling the Business29:39 Cash Flow Management Strategies33:37 Final Advice and Contact Information

Resources Mentioned:

📌 Taylor Roofs – Jamie’s award-winning roofing business📌 Taylor Talks Trades Podcast – Interviews and insights for trades business owners📌 E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber – The book that sparked Jamie’s business transformation📌 Know Your Numbers Website – Craig’s programme for ambitious business owners

Hosted by the insightful Craig Alexander Rattray, this podcast is your ultimate guide to growing your business and understanding finance and the numbers that matter. Learn and understand this and you will make better decisions and make more money.
Whether you’re a seasoned business owner or just starting out, Craig’s expert advice will help you navigate the complexities of business finance in his unique and easy to understand manner giving you better information and more confidence. Mastering business forecasting and cash flow management will become second nature to you. Follow the tips and advice and you will make more profit, have a more valuable business and reduce stress.
In each episode, Craig breaks down essential financial concepts into easy-to-understand strategies, empowering you to take control of your business’s financial future. From understanding growth and funding, forecasting, managing cash flow, building value and exit, to making informed decisions, “Know Your Numbers” is here to turn financial uncertainty into clarity and success.
But that’s not all! Craig will also be joined by guests who have walked in your shoes while running a business. These experienced entrepreneurs, business experts, related professional advisors, investors and funders will share their stories of challenges and growth, offering practical tips on managing and growing a business, changes to implement and what works, and providing insights that you can replicate in your business and find the best solutions to grow successfully and profitably.
Join us every fortnight for actionable insights, real-world examples, and practical tips that will transform the way you manage your business finances. Don’t let financial jargon hold you back—tune in to “Know Your Numbers” and start your journey to financial mastery and a more profitable and valuable business.

• No. of episodes: 18
• Latest episode: 2025-05-08
• Business Entrepreneurship Management

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