You're Not Just A Sparkie — Kate Raymond on How to Lead, Earn More, and Fix the Trade
She was mistaken for the secretary. Now she’s running the industry.
Kate Raymond, CEO of Master Electricians Australia, joins Joey Hidalgo for Episode 1 of The Profitable Estimator Podcast – CounterMeasure Series. With 25+ years in construction law, regulation, and industry leadership, Kate’s story is a masterclass in challenging trade bias, embracing innovation, and building sustainable businesses.
In this episode:
- The quiet gender biases still happening on job sites
- How to lead with equity—no matter your trade or team size
- Why skilled migration isn’t a debate—it’s a necessity
- What estimating tools and AI sparkies should actually use
- The MEA resources every electrical business owner needs to protect their license and price profitably
🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube
🔗 Links + free bonus checklist in the show notes below.
👇 Subscribe to never miss a margin-boosting episode.
🔗 Links + free bonus checklist in the show notes below.
👇 Subscribe to never miss a margin-boosting episode.
Creators and Guests
Host
Joey Hidalgo
🎙 Host of CounterMeasure – The Profitable Estimator Podcast 💡 Founder & CEO, The Measuring Company “Helping builders win jobs, make money, and stay sane.” Joey is on a mission to connect 100,000 Filipino estimators with 100,000 Aussie tradies and builders—empowering the construction industry with smart systems, accurate pricing, and strategic support. As The Profitable Estimator, Joey draws on his engineering background, years of boots-on-the-ground experience, and a deep understanding of cost data and systems. His goal? Help builders and tradies grow without burning out. Whether you’re a solo tradie, a scaling builder, or a commercial estimator, Joey’s podcast delivers the tools, tech, and tactics to stay competitive and profitable in today’s construction game. 📍 Based in Melbourne 📬 Learn more: measuringcompany.com 📲 Follow on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram
Guest
Kate Raymond
CEO of Master Electricians Australia since April 2024. A construction lawyer turned industry advocate, Kate brings 25+ years of legal, regulatory, and advocacy experience from roles at QBCC, Master Builders Queensland, and the Australian Constructors Association. She holds a First‑Class Honours & University Medal in Law and a BA (Government) from the University of Queensland, is a GAICD graduate, and holds a QBCC Low‑Rise Site Supervisor licence. Also a Non‑Executive Director on a community housing board and Construction Skills Queensland.
