Admin sorted. Stress reduced. Results delivered.
We get it, running your trades business is full-on. Whether you're knee-deep in invoices, worried about IRD letters, or staring blankly at your social media pages, we're here to sort the back end so you can on the tools.
Take a look at how we've helped tradies take control of their business, sort out their finances, and get organised.
Case Study #1: Turning Things Around
Residential & RURAL Builder
The problems:
$32,000 in overdue bills
A $50,000 overdraft
Significant IRD debt
No staff agreements
600+ unread emails
The business had grown fast, but without the right systems in place, it was hard to keep up. That’s where we came in.
The Solutions:
First up: setting up Xero properly. This gave us a clear picture of the business's finances so we could tackle the debt. We then set up payment plans for overdue accounts and the IRD, giving the owner a structured path forward.
But it wasn't just about the numbers we also worked on:
Staff employment agreements
Creating HR processes
Consistent bookkeeping
Sorting through 600+ unread emails and regaining control of communications
The results:
Today, the business is in a much stronger position:
Positive bank balance
IRD debt fully paid off
Staff are paid on time, every week
The owner is back on the tools and no longer overwhelmed by admin
He’s now able to be on the tools while knowing that the financials and day-to-day operations are under control.
“Shadow’s helped get the business and money sorted so I can spend less time in the office and more time on the tools.”
Case Study #2: Keeping Facebook Content Consistent
BuildLink Paeroa, Timber & Hardware Store
The Problem:
Before we stepped in, BuildLink Paeroa had all the right stuff: great products, solid service, and a strong local reputation. But their social media needed some attention.
Aimee and Nick didn't have the time to post consistently, their Instagram account didn't exist, and their Facebook page lacked on-brand, consistent content.
The Solution:
We focused on their Facebook presence and brought in:
Branded content that looks and feels like BuildLink Paeroa
Posts promoting services like delivery, quotes, and pole shed builds
Monthly tips, supplier features, and specials
Community events and involvement, from the Santa Parade to tradie BBQs
Spotlights on local projects using BuildLink materials
It wasn’t just about showing up; it was about showing up in a way that felt like them. Friendly, helpful, and local.
The Results:
On-brand posts are going out every week, without Nick and Aimee having to worry, and community engagement on every post.
The numbers speak for themselves:
Views: 5,341 (up 55.4%)
Reach: 1,185 (up 90.2%)
Interactions: 159 (up 98.8%)
Page visits: 425 (up 73.5%)
Follower growth: up 133.3%
*Meta results for April 2025
"After deciding to outsource, I haven't looked back. The impact has been significant - increased engagement and traffic for specific products or posts that inform customers. I wholeheartedly recommend Shadow Administration's services, as the results speak for themselves"
- Aimee Dunn, BuildLink Paeroa
Case Study #3: From doing it all to a business that runs smoothly
Symphony Construction, Waikato Residential Builder
The Problems:
Like many husband-and-wife tradie teams, Symphony Construction started out with one person on the tools and the other handling everything else.
Between raising kids, handling client comms, doing the books, and trying to keep up with social media, it was a lot.
As the business grew, so did the pressure. That’s when they brought us in.
The Solution:
A VA team that acts as their full support behind the scenes, including:
Weekly payroll and bookkeeping
Client emails and communication
Social media content
Website design and updates
Graphic design, like their mall door ad
Email inbox management
The Results:
Admin, inbox, and bookkeeping are sorted every day
Consistent online presence and advertising that reflects their brand
More time for the team to be on the tools and work on high-value projects
Freed up space to focus on major builds like the House of the Year Award-winning Matangi new build
Reagan gets to focus on quoting and training the apprentices (which he loves)
Want results like these?
Book your free discovery call today.
