Management • Business Tips • 26 minutes

Toolbox Down Under: A Peek Into the Australian Trades Life

March 25, 2025

Episode Overview

Network Plumbing co-owners Scott and Vicky Irwin have spent the past 40 years doing a bloody good job of building a thriving trade business in Sydney, Australia.

The couple survived the 2008 financial crisis, and managed to do it with signature humor and optimism. That’s a double victory when married co-owners overcome a severe tanking of the economy. 

“ Working together and living together can be very difficult, very challenging at times,” Vicky says. “But we make the most of it, and we laugh at each other all day long now.”

The upbeat nature of their relationship spills over into the professional culture at Network Plumbing.

The company successfully pivoted from commercial to residential work, and in true Irwin style, the team kept things fun while overcoming that, and other, challenges.

“ Our people who work with us are our most important people, more important than a customer,” Scott says. “They're our rock, so we've got to look after them.” 

The Irwins will be on hand when ServiceTitans’ first-ever World of Titans event comes to Sydney April 3-4.

Scott and Vicky say they’ll be an open book if attendees want to ask about their company culture. The couple are more than happy to share their expertise.

“We're all in the same industry,” Scott says. “We're all better to share success, so everyone becomes better, and the better we all become, the better the industry becomes, and then we can employ better people.”

The Down Under event aims to be beneficial for all, or as Aussies might call it: Bonzer, ripper, tops, or ace

Scott and Vicky Irwin recently joined ServiceTitan’s Jackie Aubel on the “Toolbox for the Trades” podcast, which included the Irwins’ thoughts on:

  • [3:44] Overcoming a financial crisis and the power of optimism

  • [10:04] Growth milestones

  • [11:29] Why profit is secondary to the health of your company culture

  • [18:50] The challenges that come with adding new residential services

  • [31:39] World of Titans events and expectations

To hear more stories from the trades, subscribe to Toolbox for the Trades on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, or anywhere you get podcasts.

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About the Show

Toolbox for the Trades is a podcast where top service professionals share the tips, tricks, and tactics they use to succeed in their industry. Hosted by Jackie Aubel, this podcast is brought to you by ServiceTitan—the leading home and commercial field service software.

Episodes will feature stories and strategies to help contractors grow and scale their service business.

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