How Simplifying Marketing Strategy Helped Sell Over a Million Books and Empower Trade Businesses Worldwide

📋 Episode Summary

In this episode of TradesFormation Unlocked, Adrian Fadini welcomes back Allan Dib—best-selling author of The One Page Marketing Plan and Lean Marketing. Allan reflects on his journey since the show's launch, sharing insights on simplifying complex marketing challenges and how his frameworks have created a global impact across multiple industries.

They dive into how trade businesses, especially those with limited budgets, can cut through the noise with lean strategies. Allan also reveals how to fight the urge for novelty, avoid random acts of marketing, and harness the power of email and customer experience for scalable growth. He finishes by opening up about his own personal transformation in fitness, mindset, and the identity shifts that drive sustained success.

🧠 What You'll Learn

Why simplicity is the most powerful marketing tool

How “random acts of marketing” can destroy your strategy

The importance of a lean marketing infrastructure

Why email marketing is a goldmine (if done right)

How to stand out in a saturated trades market

The value of identity shifts for business and personal transformation

Tips for leveraging AI and automation in your business

What makes a unique selling proposition truly stand out

💬 Memorable Quotes

"People don’t want marketing—they want clarity and results."

"The best businesses are boring. They just optimise and follow the blueprint."

"If you're at capacity, you market more—not less. That’s when you raise your prices and choose your clients."

"Identity drives behavior. When you become a marketer, everything changes."

🔗 Links & Mentions

LeanMarketing.com/unlocked – Free chapters + resources

The One Page Marketing Plan by Allan Dib

Lean Marketing by Allan Dib

In this episode of TradesFormation Unlocked, host Adrian Fadini reconnects with Will Demirdonder, founder of Proximity Plumbing. Will shares his inspiring journey from a one-man van to leading a 20-plumber-strong team in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. He delves into his early days juggling high-rise jobs with private work, the key role of his partner Emily in scaling the business, and the transformative impact of strategic coaching.

The conversation reveals how Will’s mindset—marked by obsessive execution, emotional intelligence, and unwavering commitment—became the bedrock of Proximity's success. From rigorous daily training with his team to dominating a local market through focused branding, Will demonstrates what it means to execute without excuses.

• The power of obsessive execution and disciplined routines
• Why being unemployable can be a superpower in business
• How Proximity Plumbing leveraged local branding to dominate a market
• The pivotal role of Emily in operations and marketing
• Why daily gratitude and goal-setting fuel success
• The value of coaching and training for business growth
• How to transition from technician to business owner
• Strategic insights on choosing the right customer segments

• "I need to dominate anything that's in front of me."
• "Your social media isn't for selling—it's for branding."
• "I want to be a specialist, not a generalist."
• "There’s no substitute for consistent training."
• "Don’t try to outsmart logical thought—hire a coach."

Business Growth, TradesBusiness, Plumbing Business, Entrepreneurship, Execution, Mindset, Coaching, Sydney Trades, Team Building, Branding, Marketing, Leadership

In this power-packed episode of TradesFormation Unlocked, Adrian Fadini sits down with industry heavyweight Tom Howard for a raw, humorous, and insightful deep dive into business growth, leadership, and the often-ignored importance of having an exit strategy. Tom shares his unlikely journey from a 15-year-old truck cleaner to scaling and exiting multimillion-dollar trade businesses.

Now serving as VP of Customer Experience at ServiceTitan, Tom reflects on his entrepreneurial path, detailing the acquisitions and exits that fueled his success. He emphasizes the importance of financial literacy, visionary leadership, and building with intention. This is your ultimate blueprint to future-proofing your trade business.

Listeners will discover how Tom used painful lessons to develop financial acumen, why mindset trumps market conditions, and how investing in your team creates massive value. The duo also covers real-world examples of acquisition wins, price objections, and creating a workplace culture that retains top talent. Above all, Tom delivers a wake-up call for trade business owners to think long-term and build with the end in mind.

🧠 What You'll Learn

• Why every business needs an exit strategy—even if you never plan to leave
• How to build financial literacy without a degree
• The cost of NOT knowing your numbers
• Key mindset shifts to break through growth ceilings
• How to price for value, not just survival
• How Tom turned a -$1M profit business into $6M profit in 16 months
• Why paying your team well is a moral obligation
• The power of transparent incentives and leadership autonomy

💬 Memorable Quotes

"Your life has a 100% mortality rate. You need an exit strategy."

"Not knowing your numbers will cost you more than learning them ever will."

"Stop selling to your customers. Start creating the conditions where they want to buy from you."

"If you can't pay the highest wages in your area, it's not your team's fault—it's yours."

HowardDeals.com — Tom's acquisitions, podcast, and deal platform