You didn't start your trades business to work harder than your own crew.
Edmonton's business coach for trades and contractorsGrow the top line, protect the margin, and get your evenings back.
How we work
We fix what is actually holding you back.
The wall you have hit is not bad luck, and it is not just you. Businesses like yours get stuck in a handful of predictable places, and each one drains something different: your cash, your systems, your time, or your people.
We find the one that is costing you the most right now, fix it first, and leave the rest until it is time. No long reports, no theory. We work beside you, on the floor of your business, until it runs the way it should.
The chaos always traces back to four things: money, systems, time, and people.
Money Management
Stop stressing over cash. Start seeing profit. Get expert support to implement Profit systems so you control your finances, improve margins, and feel secure.
Business Systems
Streamline operations. Work smarter, not harder. Implement easy-to-follow systems that reduce overwhelm, improve efficiency, and create consistency throughout your business.
Time & Action
Take back your time. Focus on what matters. Switch from managing hours to managing effective actions. We’ll help you build prioritized systems that reclaim time and fuel growth.
People & Relationships
Lead confidently. Strengthen every connection. Build trust with your team, customers, & vendors by improving how you lead, communicate, and manage relationships.
Whether you are growing and have hit a ceiling, or working flat out and falling behind, we build the pieces in the order your business needs.
Built For Small Business Owners
This is business building, not consulting.
Empowering Business Owners Across Industries to Scale, Start, and Succeed.
At The Business Builders by Workplaces, we help Edmonton and Alberta trades, contractors, and hands-on small business owners, like electrical, HVAC, construction, plumbing, mechanical, and field-service shops, overcome challenges and accelerate growth. Bruce has actually run a small business, and coaches the Profit First method developed by Mike Michalowicz: Revenue minus Profit equals Expenses. Simple, sustainable results without the fluff. Backed by close to 30 years of leadership experience in Fortune 50 and 500 organizations, adapted for the realities of small business.
We don’t just advise. We partner with you, side-by-side, to solve problems, streamline operations, and drive lasting impact.
You Come First
Using the Profit First method developed by Mike Michalowicz, we help you flip the old formula:
Revenue – Expenses = Profit into
Revenue – Profit = Expenses.
This shift ensures you prioritize yourself and your goals, not just your bills.
Action Management
Stop managing time. Start managing action.
We help you shift from minutes to momentum by identifying priorities and building systems that focus on what actually drives progress.
Business Systems
Streamline your business with better systems.
We help you eliminate chaos, improve efficiency, and create repeatable processes that drive consistent results and sustainable growth.
People Management
Lead your team, and yourself, with clarity.
We help you strengthen leadership, manage people effectively, and build relationships with employees, customers, and suppliers that fuel business growth.
See Where You Stand
And What Comes Next
Send me your last twelve months of bank statements and your last twelve months of profit and loss.
I go through them before we meet. Then I tell you where the money went, and what it is costing you over a year.
You walk away with:
- The leaks, named and costed
- What each one costs you in a year
- What to fix first
You keep the numbers whether or not we ever work together.
Already Have an Idea Of Where Your Business is At?
Testimonials
What Our Clients Say
I had the privilege of working with Bruce from Workplaces from December through January, and the impact has been incredible.
Bruce helped me build proper systems in my business and, more importantly, helped me realise that I simply cannot do everything myself if I want to grow properly.
Since implementing the Workplaces programmes and the systems we worked on, I’ve had more mind space, better structure, and the freedom of movement to focus on real growth. It’s now June, and my revenue has increased by 37%.
I’m genuinely grateful for the guidance, clarity, and practical tools Bruce brought into my business. I would highly recommend Workplaces to any business owner who feels stuck, overwhelmed, or ready to scale properly.
Our company has worked with Bruce for the past few years as a business coach and mentor. We started out with a Stages of Growth workshop back in 2021 and that provided us with some valuable insight into where our company was and what we needed to do in order to scale it to the next level and beyond. Those sessions opened us up to a world of growth - personally, professionally and across the business. His guidance elevated my personal growth that allowed me to thrive as I took on more responsibility within the business. Bruce is very easy going, personable, professional and multi-talented. His diverse skillset can switch gears between every area of the business. I would recommend Bruce to any business, no matter how big or small, or any challenge or opportunity they face as he can help take you to the next level, both personally and professionally.
Bruce has been an invaluable partner in my business journey. Hiring him seven months ago was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. He’s helped me unlock new ideas and perspectives, and his guidance was instrumental in launching my new real estate business. Now, I’m proud to own two businesses, thanks to Bruce’s expertise. If you’re looking for someone to spark innovation and drive growth, Bruce is the perfect catalyst.
Outstanding Business Coach
Working with Jen has been one of the best investments I’ve made in my professional growth. From our very first session, it was clear they take the time to truly understand your specific challenges rather than offering generic, one-size-fits-all advice.
Jen helped me think more clearly about leadership, team management, strategic balance and gave me practical tools I could apply immediately. They have a great way of asking the right questions instead of just handing out answers, which pushed me to find my own solutions and build real confidence in my decision-making.
Beyond the practical skills, the accountability and structure they provided kept me consistent and focused on my goals. I’ve seen measurable improvement in team communication, productivity, employee retention, revenue growth since we started working together.
I’d highly recommend Jen to anyone looking to grow professionally, whether you’re a business owner, manager, or someone navigating a career transition. Worth every penny.
Navigating the ups and downs of early entrepreneurship can feel like an emotional rollercoaster, and I’m incredibly grateful to have Bruce in my corner. His coaching and business-building support have been both dynamic and tailored to the areas I want to grow in. Together, we’re building a framework and processes that help me confidently sell and navigate my business. What sets Bruce apart is how deeply he believes in me—sometimes even more than I believe in myself—and that’s been a powerful motivator to keep moving forward. I’m looking forward to continuing this journey with his guidance.
Where to begin.. I am new to having a start up business- something I felt with during COVID and i wanted to design / create a business to help individuals , organizations, to cope with stress and deal better with burnout and workload anxieties. I didn’t really know where to start! I did an internet search for someone I could hire to help me with the analysis, charts, policy’s, cost projections which I didn’t have the slightest clue was needed.
Bruce has helped me in various ways! From the 1:00 am stress texts and random emails when I would have an idea, thought or strategy in mind. He would reply on normal business hours, give honest feedback, send me information to read over to come to my own conclusions.
He’s very helpful, kind , and I think he just loves to help others succeed. He is worth every dime and dollar. If you feel overwhelmed contacting different government funding sources or grants.. he’s your guy! So very professional as well! I appreciate that.
I cannot say enough positive words regarding his insight and wisdom throughout this process. I will always be grateful for him and his patience. A true gem of all gems.
Bruce is a great asset to any new or existing business. He is helpful in ways one doesn’t even imagine! The most impacting piece of working with Bruce was his authenticity and honest communication. When we are ready to take our business to the next level we will definitely use Bruce again!
I have been working with bruce and Jen for the past year and I cant say enough to how much they have helped me and my business, not only have they helped me navigate through some business hurdles but they have also been there to support on a personal level too, it really shows that the care!
Bruce knows his stuff. He is knowledgeable, easy to listen to and very approachable. I love seeing someone who cares so much about small business growth.
