The Grout Guy: Helping People, Finding Freedom, and Work-Life Balance

Brad Young’s journey into the business world didn’t follow the traditional path. It wasn’t a straight line from a prestigious university to a corporate office. Instead, it was a story of trial, error, and a whole lot of grit, the kind of determination that takes an 18-year-old, fresh out of school, from mucking around on the ice rink to becoming the Chief Grout Officer of a successful business, "The Grout Guy."

From the Ice Rink to the Business World

Growing up in Perth, Australia, Brad was more interested in ice hockey than anything else. His passion took him to Canada for a year during high school, where he played hockey. After finishing Year 11, Brad returned home and found himself working at a bottle shop. But it didn’t take long for him to realise that retail wasn’t for him.

That’s when a family friend entered the picture, regrouting showers. Brad joined him for a day of work, and at that moment, his future became clear. His friend offered him the phone number for his small shower-repair business in Kingsley, Perth, for $25,000. 

At first, Brad didn’t have that kind of money, but the idea stuck. If he could get the money together, he thought, he could run his own business. A year and a half later, Brad convinced his mother to loan him $35,000, $25,000 for the business and $10,000 for working capital. Thus began his venture into the world of business, regrouting showers and making just enough to get by.

The Spark for Growth

For nearly nine years, Brad operated "The Grout Guy" at a modest level, making a decent living but not pushing the business to its full potential. His motivation at the time, he admitted, was simple: fast cars and toys. As he put it, "Fast cars aren’t cheap, and if you want those kinds of toys, you need to make some money."

The drive to afford the lifestyle he wanted propelled him forward. But as the business grew and his family expanded to include four kids under five, his motivations evolved. Now, it wasn’t just about the cars or toys; it was about giving his children a good life and securing their future.

Scaling the Business and Letting Go

By 2016, Brad had decided it was time to get serious about scaling the business. The challenge? How to grow "The Grout Guy" while ensuring he didn’t get stuck doing every task himself.

Brad’s approach to scaling was strategic: he started working himself out of a job. Inspired by a mentor who advised him to “stop doing dumb tasks,” Brad handed over day-to-day operations to his team. He set up systems that allowed others to take over responsibilities like payroll, scheduling, and even basic admin tasks. 

But it wasn’t just about delegating. Brad knew that supporting his team was critical to his company’s success. He kept in constant communication with his staff, whether through casual breakfast meetings or formal one-on-ones. The goal was simple: create an environment where his employees felt supported, empowered, and able to grow in their roles.

The Tipping Point: From Franchising to Licensing

At one point, Brad seriously considered franchising his business. He had everything ready to go: legal documents, an established brand, and a solid business model. But something didn’t sit right with him. To make a franchising model work, he would have to raise his prices significantly, and that didn’t align with the company’s mission of providing affordable solutions for leaking showers.

So, Brad pivoted. Instead of franchising, he developed a licensing model. His best friend, Cam, became the master licensee for Victoria, and Brad maintained a majority share in the company. This decision allowed them to grow rapidly without sacrificing their values. By empowering others to own a piece of the business while still maintaining control, Brad was able to scale the company across multiple regions, including Victoria and, soon, Adelaide.

The Heart of It All: Helping Others Grow

For Brad, the most rewarding part of running a business isn’t just the freedom or the success, it’s helping others achieve their goals. “When I saw the light of being able to help people, create something for other people as well, that was the tipping point.” 

The sense of fulfilment Brad gets from seeing his employees grow, take on more responsibility, and build their success is what drives him now. Whether it’s expanding into new regions or giving employees the tools they need to succeed, Brad’s philosophy is simple: help others and success will follow.

The Future of "The Grout Guy"

As "The Grout Guy" continues to expand, Brad remains focused on creating opportunities for others. The company is set to launch in Adelaide soon, further solidifying its presence across Australia. Brad’s hands-off approach to leadership, where he empowers his team and steps back from the day-to-day tasks, has allowed him to focus on strategic growth while giving others the chance to take ownership of their roles.

His story is a testament to the power of persistence, delegation, and a little bit of trial and error. As Brad Young continues to build his empire, one thing is clear: "The Grout Guy" is no longer just about regrouting showers; it’s about building something bigger, something that offers opportunity and growth for everyone involved.

Learn more from The Grout Guy:

You can find The Grout Guy at his website. 

Highlights

• 01:11 Brad's Early Business Journey

• 03:20 Motivations and Business Growth

• 04:06 Favourite Aspects of Running a Business

• 05:49 Supporting Employees and Communication

• 12:57 Challenges and Mistakes in Business

• 14:51 Achieving Work-Life Balance

• 20:26 Final Thoughts