Katherine Grace
Director, Senior Business Coach
Director, Senior Business Coach
Hey, I’m Kath!
I’ve spent 24 years in the construction and trades industry, helping businesses navigate cash flow stress, pricing mistakes, and the constant juggle of growth without burnout. For 18 years, I’ve been involved with HIA—running trade nights, forums, and online coaching groups, as well as writing training courses (most recently Kitchen, Bathroom & Design). Judging the 2024 National Professional Medium Builder Award was a tough but rewarding gig!
Supporting tradies and family businesses has been a passion since I was 19. I’ve seen firsthand how admin overload and unpredictable cash flow keep hardworking tradies stuck—working huge hours but never feeling ahead. That’s why, through Elemental Solutions, we don’t just offer coaching. We focus on practical, low-cost ways to help those who can’t afford extra staff or a business coach. Because let’s be real—not everyone has the time (or budget) when they’re drowning in payroll, BAS deadlines, and overdue invoices.
Over the years, I’ve worked with SPASA, APPA, FCA, Jim’s Group, and AIPP as a trainer and presenter. I’ve also picked up a few coaching awards, including Asia-Pacific and Global Coaching Awards for Best Client Results and Runner-up Franchise Woman of the Year.
Beyond business, I’m a passionate advocate for childhood cancer awareness. In 2018, I took a career break to care for my three-year-old son, who battled Neuroblastoma. Raising $350K for his overseas treatment was a fight—but he’s doing awesome now! I’ve since spoken on a Senate panel advocating for better access to childhood cancer treatment.
Key Achievements:
- 17 years as an HIA & SPASA trainer and presenter
- Former owner of a health business with 29 staff
- Construction industry expert
- Australia & Asia-Pacific award winner for business coaching
- Author for Business Franchise & Housing magazines
- Webinar presenter (up to 400 attendees)
- Bachelor of Business Administration
- Childhood cancer advocate & fundraiser
Professional Experience
With a background in franchising, trades, and home services, I quickly realised that my approach to coaching was anything but corporate—and I’ve stuck to that ever since. My expertise lies in construction, trades, allied health, and franchising, where I bring practical, real-world solutions to small business owners.
I’ve spoken to over 10,000 small business owners, led training for some of Australia’s biggest industry organisations, and co-authored three editions of the Business Franchise Guide Handbook. My writing has been featured in national publications for over six years, and I regularly present workshops tailored to the realities of small business.
Through it all, I remain committed to making business support accessible—helping tradies, small business owners, and franchisees build something sustainable, without the burnout.
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POINTS OF INTEREST
- 17 years’ HIA & SPASA trainer & presenter
- Former owner of health business with 29 staff
- Construction industry expert
- Australia & Asia-Pacific award winner
- Author for ‘Business Franchise’ & ‘Housing’ magazines
- Webinar presenter – up to 400 attendees
- Bachelor of Business Administration
- Childhood Cancer Advocate and fundraiser
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
With a background in franchising, trades and home services, and as the owner of a business with 29 staff, Katherine quickly realised as a business coach that her approach was decidedly ‘non-corporate’ and has stuck to that lane ever since. She has extensive experience speaking and workshopping with groups in small business, with particular expertise in construction, trades, allied health and franchising.
Regarded as an extremely down to earth, “non-corporate” and examples-based speaker, Katherine regularly gives up her time to speak to small business owners. With 27 years’ experience in building & trades, she has been engaged by the HIA for over 17 of those as a trainer and presenter, and has spoken to over 10,000 small business owners to date.
Katherine writes for national magazines including 6 years for Business Franchise Magazine and presents training for some of Australia’s best known industry organisations in several sectors including health, construction, franchising and B2B. Katherine has co-authored 3 editions of the Business Franchise Guide Handbook. Along with her coaching practice, Katherine has also been co-owner of two allied health businesses with staff and health professionals.
In 2018 she took a career break to care for her 3 year old son with a rare and aggressive cancer called Neuroblastoma. This includes raising $350,000 for overseas treatment. Katherine is a passionate advocate for better access to childhood cancer treatment and has spoken on a panel recently for the Senate.
