Mr Soot owner David started the Trade Entepreneur podcast back in 2022, and quickly became a must-listen for anyone in the solid fuel and wider trades industry.
Its reach is truly international, with guests from countries such as Germany and the United States of America appearing to give their perspectives on all things trade related.
At the start of 2025, we launched a FREE Trade Entrepreneur Community on Facebook for those who want to take their business to the next level.
David said:
“With Trade Entrepreneur, I wanted something very unique for the trades sector in the UK. We were determined to go indepth and look at issues rarely discussed, such as mental health, customer service and personal development.
“Being a business owner is tough, but I'd say being an entrepreneur can actually be harder, Very few people are entrepreneurs in the truest sense of the word. Its a unique mindset, and one which sets you apart from regular business owners."
To message the show, please email david@trade-entrepreneur.co.uk
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Trade Entrepreneur Podcast: Previous Episodes
- #74 WATCH: Customer RIPPING Out Gas Boilers - Interview with Lee Mayers June 16, 2025David meets Lee Mayers, owner of Villlage Fireplaces & Stoves, in the Isle of Man. In this episode, they talk about:- Going from a solo tradesman to a leading a team- How Manx customers are different from those in the UK- His hopes for the future of the solid fuel industryDavid Sudworth - Mr Soot Chimney Sweep & Training Centre
- #74 - 'Customers RIPPING Out Gas Boilers' - Interview with Lee Mayers June 15, 2025David meets Lee Mayers, owner of Villlage Fireplaces & Stoves, in the Isle of Man. In this episode, they talk about:- Going from a solo tradesman to a leading a team- How Manx customers are different from those in the UK- His hopes for the future of the solid fuel industryDavid Sudworth - Mr Soot Chimney Sweep & Training Centre
- #73 - Avoid This Trades TRAP To Help Your Business in 2025 December 29, 2024David looks back at lessons learned in 2024 - and how it's helping him shape his future at Mr Soot.For details on the Business Masterclass, visit https://mr-soot.com/product/business-masterclass-trade-secrets-revealed/David Sudworth - Mr Soot Chimney Sweep & Training Centre
- #72 - Recoheat: The GROUND-BREAKING Heating System Confounding Industry Sceptics October 4, 2024It’s the heat loss recovery system which took an industry by surprise - and confounded sceptics.In this espiode, Will Burrows tell David about Recoheat’s journey, and their plans for the future.David Sudworth - Mr Soot Chimney Sweep & Training Centre
- #71 - ‘Preparing For My FIRST Silly Season’ - Interview with HETAS chimney sweep Mike Woods September 1, 2024Mike Woods trained at our Mr Soot Training Centre earlier this year. He’s now a HETAS approved sweep and facing his first ‘silly season’.In this interview, Mike talks about his background, why he swapped careers, and what he’s expecting over the autumn and winter months.David Sudworth - Mr Soot Chimney Sweep & Training Centre
- #70 - How Football Sponsorship Can Transform Your Community... And Business: Interview with Cara Leach of Marine FC July 26, 2024When non-league Marine Football Club were drawn against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup, it transformed the Merseyside team.Their Commercial Manager Cara Leach joins David to discuss how they're now engaging with local businesses to provide a real hub for the community.David Sudworth - Mr Soot Chimney Sweep & Training Centre
- #69 - ‘I thought COVID was the end - but we’re back stronger than ever’ - Ryan Hancock June 21, 2024In this episode, founder of Flue & Ducting, Ryan Hancock, talks about his background, how he brought Duraflue to the UK, and the moment he thought his business would close for good.This episode is brought to you in conjunction with Fireplace Specialist Magazine - the official and only independent trade magazine supporting the industry. Read […]David Sudworth - Mr Soot Chimney Sweep & Training Centre
- #68 'From Black Tie to Black Hands!' - Gary Walker's Career Change To A HETAS Approved Chimney Sweep May 12, 2024Yorkshire marketing professional Gary Walker traded black tie dinners for black hands when he trained as a HETAS approved chimney sweep.He talks to David about his first 'silly season' and how his background is giving his brand the marketing edge.The Trade Entrepreneur episode is brought to you in conjunction with Advance Chimney Cameras - the […]David Sudworth - Mr Soot Chimney Sweep & Training Centre
- #67 - Why I Left My Business For SIX Months - Interview with Byron Schramm of Midtown Chimney Sweep Franchise March 7, 2024Byron Schramm left his chimney business in Colorado behind for six months - and set out for a European adventure.David catches up with him on the British leg of his tour to discuss chimneys, entrepreneurship and the work-life balance ‘myth’.This episode is brought to you in association with Rodstation chimney rods - the equipment used […]David Sudworth - Mr Soot Chimney Sweep & Training Centre
- #66 - We MUST Bridge The White-Blue Collar Divide - Interview with Daniel Ezzatvar January 28, 2024Marketing expert Daniel Ezzatvar researched the construction sector for his Masters Degree. He tells David how he’s now using that as a springboard to help bridge the white-blue collar divide across the sector.This episode is brought to you in conjunction with Fireplace Specialist Magazine - the official and only independent trade magazine supporting the industry. […]David Sudworth - Mr Soot Chimney Sweep & Training Centre
- #65 - ‘It was the biggest SHOCK - I almost couldn’t cope’ - James Archer, of Clock Woodburners September 3, 2023James Archer went from one-man-in-his-shed to being the face of one of the UK’s best known stove brands.But as Clock Woodburners underwent a meteoric rise, James found it a challenge to adapt to these new pressures.In a frank interview with David, James talks about how he started out in the industry, the secret behind Clock’s […]David Sudworth - Mr Soot Chimney Sweep & Training Centre
- #64 - Franchisee To Franchisor: Liam Hobbs of More Than Loft Ladders August 6, 2023“He liked it so much he bought the company!”In this episode, Liam Hobbs, of More Than Loft Ladders, tells David how he went from being a franchisee to buying the business outright.It’s a fascinating story from someone who has a real entrepreneurial spirit who only really acted on it a bit later in life.David Sudworth - Mr Soot Chimney Sweep & Training Centre
- #63 - How British Chimney Sweeps Can Learn From The USA - Interview with Joe Gomez June 24, 2023Essex chimney sweep Joe Gomez sat the US chimney sweep exams - and passed. He now wants to help improve standards here in the UK. In this episode he talks to David about his experiences in America…David Sudworth - Mr Soot Chimney Sweep & Training Centre
- #62 - 'Chimney Sweep Associations Got It Wrong - Here's How To Fix It' May 28, 2023Sixth-generation sweep Josh Firkins joins David for an indepth discussion about the future of chimney sweeping, and how he feels trade associations have got it wrong...David Sudworth - Mr Soot Chimney Sweep & Training Centre
- #61 - Why I Made The Leap To Expand - Follow-Up Interview With Alastair Kemp April 2, 2023In a follow up to last year's interview about whether to grown his one-man band, Wilts chimney sweep Alastair Kemp returns to the show to reflect on what he did next...David Sudworth - Mr Soot Chimney Sweep & Training Centre
- #60 - Taxing Times: Why Some Businesses Are Stalling March 19, 2023With a sluggish economy, the UK needs small businesses to drive growth. So why are some unable to meet even their own aspirations? In this episode, David reveals a key issue which the Government needs to sort out ASAP...David Sudworth - Mr Soot Chimney Sweep & Training Centre
- #59 - Why I Started This Podcast, Became A Business Mentor & Now Champion Fellow Tradespeople March 12, 2023Focusing solely on your business means potentially missing out on opportunities. In this episode, David outlines how 'outside' interests beyond your day-to-day work can help you and your business...David Sudworth - Mr Soot Chimney Sweep & Training Centre
- #58 - Banishing Seasonality: How To Create All-Year-Round Business March 5, 2023Cashflow can be tricky in a seasonal business. But there are some steps you can take to counteract that, as David discusses in this episode...David Sudworth - Mr Soot Chimney Sweep & Training Centre
- #57 - The Mindset Which RUINS Business Growth... February 26, 2023Expanding your business can be challenging, but having a scarcity mindset can strangle any idea at birth. In this episode, David looks at how overcoming this is vital if you want to grow...David Sudworth - Mr Soot Chimney Sweep & Training Centre
- #56 - Five Tips For GROWTH In A Recession February 19, 2023It's clear we're in choppy financial waters - and adapting to survive can be a necessity. In this episode, David looks at how you can grow even when the economy is shrinking...David Sudworth - Mr Soot Chimney Sweep & Training Centre