“I finally understood my business – and everything changed.”
“It was so worth it… I learned so much. It’s been so useful.”
That’s Annie, co-owner of Adyta – a specialist insulation business installing hemp-based, bio-based insulation systems. A premium, sustainable product that requires technical knowledge and skilled installation.
Annie started the business in 2023 with her partner Jack while still working full-time. Jack runs the site team. Annie handles everything else – finance, marketing, admin, quoting.
By her own admission:
“I genuinely had no idea how to run a business.”
Like many small construction businesses, the work was coming in. But the return didn’t fully reflect the effort going in. That’s why Annie enrolled on the HBXL Business Management Skills Bootcamp.
The turning point: Business Modelling
Over the 64-hour online course, Annie says the biggest breakthrough came from properly understanding her business.
“The business model tool was epic.”
Using the spreadsheet provided on the course, Annie adapted it to suit Adyta and:
- Built a clear overhead and cost structure
- Factored in profit and business development – not just costs
- Planned financially for five and ten years ahead
- Worked out exactly what each job needed to deliver.
As she puts it:
“Now I know exactly where all the money is. There’s integrity in that.”
For the first time, pricing wasn’t based on instinct or assumption. It was based on clarity.
Increasing prices – without losing work
One of the biggest concerns for small construction businesses is whether higher prices will mean fewer jobs.
That wasn’t Annie’s experience.
“We’re still winning the work. People are happy to pay when they understand the value.”
With clearer pricing there’s now:
- More confident conversations with clients
- Stronger justification for offering a premium service
- Greater clarity when explaining how prices are calculated.
The result? The business is now moving into sustainable profitability.
Beyond the numbers
The course covered much more than spreadsheets. As a result of the Bootcamp, Annie also worked on her marketing, presentation and organisation.
She implemented practical improvements across the business, including:
- Professional email signatures and domain emails
- Clear positioning of insurance and consultancy value
- Website improvements (with tutor feedback)
- Marketing language that better reflects a premium service.
In Annie’s words:
“All those little things make you look more professional – and they add up.”
A different way of thinking
For Annie, the impact of the course went beyond processes and pricing.
“My whole business is different after finishing this course… the sessions on mindset were invaluable.”
She now understands the financial structure of her company, prices with confidence, and plans for the future with intention – not just for the next job.
Could this be you?
If you have a construction business and you’re working hard but unsure exactly where the profit sits…
>If pricing still feels uncomfortable…
>If growth feels reactive rather than planned…
…one of our courses could be for you. The HBXL Skills Bootcamps are designed to help construction business owners understand their numbers, strengthen their systems and build long-term sustainability.
Explore the HBXL Skills Bootcamps in:
To find out more about Annie’s business, Adyta, the specialist hempcrete installers, watch them in action here. And follow their journey on Instagram.