From Burnout to $11.5M in 3 years
How Ben Doran Built a Trade Business That Runs Without Him
Three years ago, Ben Doran was running himself into the ground. Like many tradies, he thought doing more meant progress. But despite his hard work, he was capped at $700K a year and drowning in day-to-day tasks.
Fast forward to today, and Ben is the owner of a thriving $11.5 million business with 48 staff, a General Manager, and a team that runs the company without needing him in the trenches. This is the story of how he scaled smart, rebuilt his team, and reclaimed his time.
The Starting Point: Chaos, Burnout, and Being Stretched Too Thin
Ben's early business journey looked like many others — quoting, supervising, hiring, ordering, invoicing, and doing the work himself. He was flat out but still felt stuck.
"I thought I had to do everything — but I was the one holding us back."
He knew the potential was there, but he didn’t have the tools, systems, or support to move beyond the day-to-day chaos.
Joining the Academy: Learning to Let Go and Level Up
When Ben joined the Tradies Success Academy, he was introduced to the mindset shift that changed everything: “If you’re on the tools, you’re not building the business.”
With guidance from the coaches and insight from other members, he started implementing key changes — beginning with creating systems and redefining his role as the business owner.
The Game-Changer: Hiring a General Manager
One of Ben’s biggest breakthroughs came when he made the decision to hire a General Manager.
"Hiring a GM was the best decision I’ve ever made. It changed everything."
By bringing in someone to take control of day-to-day operations, Ben created the space to focus on strategy, leadership, and growth. This single move unlocked the next level for his business.
Scaling Up: From $1.9M to $7.5M — Without Being on Site
With a strong second-in-command and better systems in place, Blitzair scaled rapidly. Revenue grew from $1.9 million to $7.5 million in just one year — and Ben wasn’t even full-time in the business.
He then merged with another company, doubling the team and expanding their footprint. But that growth came with its own challenges.
Rebuilding After Loss: Culture Over Everything
After the merger, Ben lost 15 staff. It was a wake-up call.
"We rebuilt with better culture and more drive. The people who stayed believed in the vision."
Instead of panicking, he focused on the long game — rebuilding with a strong culture, clearer vision, and higher expectations. It paid off. The team that remained was stronger, more aligned, and more committed.
Time Freedom: The Ultimate Win
Today, Ben has 48 staff, multiple layers of leadership, and a business that no longer depends on him for survival.
"I’m planning a 3-month overseas trip while we aim for $20M next year."
Ben isn’t just chasing numbers. He’s built a business that allows him to step away without losing momentum. That’s time freedom — the true benchmark of a business that works.
Lessons for Every Trade Business Owner
Hiring a GM or Ops Manager isn’t an expense — it’s an unlock.
Scaling requires systems, structure, and the right people.
Culture isn’t a buzzword — it’s the foundation for sustainable growth.
Real freedom comes when the business runs without you.
You’re the biggest bottleneck if you’re still doing everthing yourselg.
Listen to the Full Episode 🎙️
Want to hear Ben’s full journey in his own words? Tune into his third appearance on the Tradies Success Podcast — packed with hard-won lessons, leadership breakthroughs, and real results.
Ready to scale your business like Ben?
Join the Tradies Success Academy and start building a business that works without you.
